Current content on the activities of the Federal President

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

"It is in our own best interests to continue to support Ukraine"

Federal President Steinmeier received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Schloss Bellevue on October 11th.

Federal President Steinmeier welcomes the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Selensky, in front of Bellevue Palace

"We will never forget what happened on 7 October"

At a commemorative event to mark the anniversary of the attack on Israel, in which the terrorist organization Hamas cruelly murdered almost 1,200 people, Federal President Steinmeier emphasized: "That day, 7 October, was a watershed moment, a profound trauma for Jews not only in Israel, but throughout the world."

Federal President Steinmeier stands at the lectern in Berlin's Memorial Church and speaks

News

“You are a beacon of democracy”

format: Speech

Schloss Bellevue, , 18 October 2024

Official visit by the President of the United States of America

"Cooperation is what is now called for"

format: Speech

Bonn, , 28 September 2024

Federal President Steinmeier gives a speech at a lectern

"Our profound friendship has shaped us"

format: Speech

Schloss Bellevue, , 27 September 2024

Federal President Steinmeier and President Mattarella toast to each other

"Let us demonstrate that we stand together"

format: Speech

Schloss Bellevue, , 13 September 2024

Federal President Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender stand on the stage and welcome guests to the 2024 Bürgerfest

The Federal President's citizens' festival

format: Report

13 September 2024

Federal President Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender with guests during the Open Day at Schloss Bellevue

"Exchange is the prerequisite for mutual understanding"

format: Speech

Cairo/Egypt, , 12 September 2024

Federal President Steinmeier gives a speech

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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.