Current content on the activities of the Federal President

"I ask you for your forgiveness"

Federal President Steinmeier has asked the people of Kandanos in Greece for forgiveness on behalf of Germany for the crimes committed by the German Wehrmacht during the Second World War.

Federal President Steinmeier bends down to an elderly woman and holds her hand

Visit to Greece

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender travelled to the Hellenic Republic from 29 to 31 October 2024.

Federal President Steinmeier and Katerina Sakellaropoulou walk past the soldiers on the red carpet

"Become ambassadors for our country!"

On 25 October Federal President Steinmeier received around 40 scholarship holders from the "Afrika kommt!" initiative at Schloss Bellevue. "You all show us that Africa and German-African relations have potential, that they have a future, precisely because there are so many great people like you!"

Federal President Steinmeier talks to several young people in Schloss Bellevue

25th anniversary of the Nordic Embassies in Berlin

On 21 October Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier payed tribute to Germany’s close relations with Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. We share intensive ties with these five countries not only in the EU and NATO, but also in the economic and cultural spheres.

Group photo of the heads of state of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Germany at the nordic embassies in Berlin

Official visit by the President of the United States of America

On 18 October, Federal President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier welcomed the President of the United States of America, Joseph R. Biden Jr., to Berlin.

The Federal President welcomes the President of the United States of America, Joseph R. Biden, with military honors

News

"This day stands for the highest peaks we have climbed in our history"

format: Speech

Schloss Bellevue, , 7 November 2024

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier gives a speech at the event "35 Years of Peaceful Revolution: Victory of Freedom? Exaggerated myth? Endangered legacy?"

Federal President Steinmeier congratulates Donald J. Trump

format: press release

6 November 2024

Federal President Steinmeier has congratulated Donald J. Trump on his election victory.

"We are united today by much more than our common history"

format: Speech

Athens/Greece, , 30 October 2024

Federal President Steinmeier stands at a festively laid table and speaks

"Your job is far from done"

format: Speech

Athens/Greece, , 30 October 2024

Federal President Steinmeier gives a speech in a large hall with bookshelves on the wall

Visit to Greece

format: Report

29 October 2024

Visit by the Amir of Qatar

format: Report

22 October 2024

Federal President Steinmeier and the Amir of Qatar

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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.