Current content on the activities of the Federal President

The digital public sphere – do we need a new Enlightenment?

As part of the Forum Bellevue on the Transformation of Society, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier hosted a discussion at Schloss Bellevue on 10 July. Participants were Noble Peace Prize laureate and journalist Maria Ressa and President of the Signal Foundation Meredith Whittaker.

Diskussionsrunde mit der philippinischen Friedensnobelpreisträgerin und Journalistin, Maria Ressa, und der US-amerikanischen KI-Forscherin und Präsidentin der Signal Foundation, Meredith Whittaker.

"You all strengthen what connects us – here in Germany, in Europe and around the world"

On 28 June, Federal President Steinmeier welcomed around 600 guest researchers from the Humboldt Foundation to Germany.

Federal President Steinmeier talks to several scholarship holders

"There has never been a more important time to fight for Europe"

Address at the College of Europe in Bruges

Federal President Steinmeier gives a speech at the closing ceremony of the academic year at the College of Europe in Bruges

News

"We still have the opportunity to set out a framework for AI that benefits both human beings and the common good"

format: Speech

Schloss Bellevue, , 10 July 2024

The Federal President gives a speech at Forum Bellevue on the Transformation of Society

30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

format: Speech

Bonn, , 17 June 2024

Grusswort zum Welttag gegen Wüstenbildung und Dürre

"We will support you and your country – for as long as it takes"

format: Speech

Berlin, , 11 June 2024

Bundespräsident Steinmeier steht an einem Redepult und spricht

"Europe is strongest when it stands together"

format: Speech

Münster, , 28 May 2024

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presents the International Award of the Peace of Westphalia to the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron

"The Franco-German friendship is deeply anchored in both countries’ image of themselves"

format: Speech

Schloss Bellevue, , 26 May 2024

The Federal President gives a speech at the state banquet in honor of the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and Brigitte Macron.

"The Basic Law and the Peaceful Revolution, what a great fortune that is to have in our hands"

format: Speech

Berlin, , 23 May 2024

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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.