Current content on the activities of the Federal President

70^th anniversary of Germany’s NATO membership

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has travelled to Brussels on 28 April to mark the Federal Republic of Germany’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 70 years ago.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Defense Minister Pistorius at NATO Headquarters in Brussels

"Francis was a Pope who opened people’s hearts."

Federal President Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender bade farewell to the late Pope Francis.

Federal President Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender paid their respects to Pope Francis

Trip to Armenia and Azerbaijan

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender will visit the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan from 30 March to 2 April.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender stand next to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva at the welcome with military honors

News

“You can count on Germany’s commitment to NATO”

format: Speech

Brussels/Belgium, , 28 April 2025

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier gives a speech at the ceremony to mark the Federal Republic of Germany's accession to NATO 70 years ago

70^th anniversary of Germany’s NATO membership

format: Report

28 April 2025

"Francis was a Pope who opened people’s hearts."

format: Report

26 April 2025

"Without these naturalisations, our country would be poorer in many respects"

format: Speech

Cologne, , 11 April 2025

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presents naturalization certificates to new German citizens, together with Cologne's Lord Mayor Henriette Reker

"Komitas a trailblazer in German-Armenian relations"

format: Speech

Yerevan/Armenia, , 31 March 2025

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier

"Shining examples who show us how important it is to stand up to hatred and intolerance"

format: Speech

Santiago de Chile, , 4 March 2025

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier awards the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany to Ana María Wahrenberg

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier awards the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany to Rudi Haymann

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The Federal President

More about Frank-Walter Steinmeier More about Elke Büdenbender

Bundespräsident Frank-Walter Steinmeier und Elke Büdenbender begrüßen die Gäste des Bürgerfestes (Archivbild)

Role and Functions

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Head of State

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.

Blick in den Bundestag bei der Bundesversammlung (Archiv)

Honours and decorations

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.