Current content on the activities of the Federal President
State visit from the French Republic
Topic:
Report
At the invitation of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, paid a state visit to Germany from 26 to 28 May.
"The Basic Law and the Peaceful Revolution, what a great fortune that is to have in our hands"
Topic:
Speech
Speech at the ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Basic Law
"It's worth going to the polls"
Topic:
Report
Together with his fellow presidents from Italy and Austria, Sergio Mattarella and Alexander Van der Bellen, Federal President Steinmeier wrote a joint declaration that was published in the German newspaper "Der Tagesspiegel" on 11 May.
The Basic Law, Germany’s constitution, devotes an entire chapter to the Federal President. Besides the tasks and powers outlined in this section, others are described elsewhere in the constitution or in other laws, and still more have simply become established over time.
Honouring individuals who have rendered distinguished services to the nation has traditionally been one of the head of state's duties. In the Federal Republic of Germany, as in nearly all countries in the world, honours and decorations are awarded as a way of paying public tribute to an outstanding individual.