The Federal Republic of Germany is a thriving democracy based on values, with a diverse political landscape. The country is deeply shaped by its federal structure, consisting of 16 federal states.
![Bundestag](/sites/default/files/styles/style_topic_header/public/2020-05/AdobeStock_64366731.jpg?itok=08usaxts)
Active Politics
The Federal government’s agenda includes topics such as managing migration, climate protection, cooperation in Europe, and championing peace and security world-wide.
Federal Chancellors
![Olaf Scholz](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2021-12/Bundeskanzler-09-Scholz-BMFphotothek.jpg?itok=w6dZsfS-)
Olaf Scholz (SPD)
![Angela Merkel](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/Bundeskanzler-08-Merkel-BundesregierungKugler_0.jpg?itok=f30u5s1W)
Angela Merkel (CDU)
![Gerhard Schröder](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/Bundeskanzler-07-Schroeder.jpg?itok=Z5Bwb0x2)
Gerhard Schröder (SPD)
![Helmut Kohl](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/Bundeskanzler-06-Kohl.jpg?itok=TfKBAUl_)
Helmut Kohl (CDU)
![Helmut Schmidt](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/Bundeskanzler-05-Schmidt.jpg?itok=B0fB5u-n)
Helmut Schmidt (SPD)
![Willy Brandt](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/Bundeskanzler-04-Brandt_0.jpg?itok=pkZCSFIV)
Willy Brandt (SPD)
![Kurt Georg Kiesinger](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/Bundeskanzler-03-Kiesinger.jpg?itok=-Eumo7i8)
Kurt Georg Kiesinger (CDU)
![Ludwig Erhard](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/Bundeskanzler-02-Erhard.jpg?itok=M9D83PlF)
Ludwig Erhard (CDU)
![Konrad Adenauer](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/Bundeskanzler-01-Adenauer.jpg?itok=eSw6NJXM)
Konrad Adenauer (CDU)
The Federal Chancellor heads the Federal government. Together with the federal ministers he or she forms the Federal government, the cabinet.
Living Democracy
Germany is a parliamentary and federal democracy. The citizens elect the parliament – the Bundestag – every four years.
Turnout for Bundestag elections
![Beteiligung Bundestagswahlen](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_small/public/2023-01/2022_Tatsachen_BeteiligungBundestagwahlen_EN_0.png?itok=yugkw3-y)
![Polizeiwappen](/sites/default/files/styles/style_video_story_small/public/2021-01/TueD_Slider_Politik_01_Laender.jpg?itok=xrhDfAsA)
![Brandenburger Tor Berlin](/sites/default/files/styles/style_video_story_small/public/2021-01/TueD_Slider_Politik_02_Stadtstaat.jpg?itok=26_Mx4XF)
![Abgabe Wahlzettel](/sites/default/files/styles/style_video_story_small/public/2021-01/TueD_Slider_Politik_04_Wahl.jpg?itok=_uJVIAbs)
![Auszählung Stimmzettel](/sites/default/files/styles/style_video_story_small/public/2021-01/TueD_Slider_Politik_05_5Prozent_0.jpg?itok=EvTzYvSh)
Age distribution of eligible voters
![Altersstruktur Wahlberechtigte](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_small/public/2023-01/2022_Tatsachen_AltersstrukturWahlberechtigten_EN_0.png?itok=25dFY4qy)
Federal Presidents
![Frank-Walter Steinmeier](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/TAT-2020-Auf-einen-Blick-Einblick-Bundesregierung-Steinmeier.jpg?itok=sH0hQX-A)
Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD)
![Joachim Gauck](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/Bundespraesident-11-Gauck.jpg?itok=Z15eGtDp)
Joachim Gauck (no party)
![Christian Wulff](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/Bundespraesident-10-Wulff.jpg?itok=280CVzoX)
Christian Wulff (CDU)
![Horst Köhler](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/Bundespraesident-09-Koehler.jpg?itok=vnOKOq72)
Horst Köhler (CDU)
![Johannes Rau](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/Bundespraesident-08-Rau.jpg?itok=QvUMiPkT)
Johannes Rau (SPD)
![Roman Herzog](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/Bundespraesident-07-Herzog.jpg?itok=vBslpu_E)
Roman Herzog (CDU)
![Richard von Weizsäcker](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/Bundespraesident-06-Weizsaecker.jpg?itok=JBg-V1Uc)
Richard von Weizsäcker (CDU)
![Karl Carstens](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/Bundespraesident-05-Carstens.jpg?itok=3dM8RNc3)
Karl Carstens (CDU)
![Walter Scheel](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/Bundespraesident-04-Scheel.jpg?itok=vD8u8wQJ)
Walter Scheel (FDP)
![Gustav Heinemann](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/Bundespraesident-03-Heinemann.jpg?itok=lMaS0JjV)
Gustav Heinemann (SPD)
![Heinrich Lübke](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/Bundespraesident-02-Luebke.jpg?itok=CLnvqpGS)
Heinrich Lübke (CDU)
![Theodor Heuss](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_facts_small/public/2020-04/Bundespraesident-01-Heuss.jpg?itok=7Onkf-w3)
Theodor Heuss (FDP)
The Federal President is the most senior political person in the country. In terms of protocol the Federal President holds the highest office. S/he is elected not by the people, but by a Federal Assembly convened specially for the purpose.
Politics
![Grundgesetz Urkunde](/sites/default/files/styles/style_accordion_small/public/2020-04/PolWende-1949-Grundgesetz.jpg?itok=Cckn3Vpn)
On 23 May the Parliamentary Council, which is made up of representatives of the states in the Western Occupation Zones, rresolves the Basic Law in Bonn. The first Bundestag is elected on 14 August.
![DDR-Aufstand](/sites/default/files/styles/style_accordion_small/public/2020-04/PolWende-1953-DDRAufstand.jpg?itok=FC7b_FiT)
On 17 June 1953 around one million people take to the streets in East Berlin and East Germany in protest at the political and economic conditions. The uprising is quashed by a massive military operation.
![Berliner Mauer](/sites/default/files/styles/style_accordion_small/public/2020-04/PolWende-1961-Mauerbau.jpg?itok=mNAee3Tb)
In Berlin, the East German leadership seals off the crossings from east to west: with a wall and barbed wire. Anyone henceforth seen trying to escape is shot. The unity of Germany as a state seems unattainable for the foreseeable future.
![Willy Brandt](/sites/default/files/styles/style_accordion_small/public/2020-04/PolWende-1969-Brandt.jpg?itok=DtfEGaFT)
Willy Brandt is the first Chancellor not to be a member of the CDU party. The Ostpolitik of the coalition government made up of the SPD and FDP creates a framework for the reconciliation of Germany with its eastern neighbours.
![Mauerfall](/sites/default/files/styles/style_accordion_small/public/2020-04/PolWende-1989-Mauerfall.jpg?itok=-FMgYoBI)
In East Germany, peaceful protests lead to the regime being toppled. On 9 November the border with the West is opened. After the first free elections on 18 March, East Germany accedes to the Federal Republic on 3 October 1990.
![Umzug Bonn Berlin](/sites/default/files/styles/style_accordion_small/public/2020-04/PolWende-1999-Umzug.jpg?itok=-DmxJpbu)
The Bundestag and the Federal Government are relocated to Berlin. The parliamentary buildings stand on both sides of the former course taken by the Wall. Bonn remains the seat of some ministries and federal authorities.
Political system, Parliament & Parties
Germany is a federation. The federation and the 16 Länder (states) each have areas of responsibility of their own.
Parliament & Parties
![Sitzverteilung Bundestag](/sites/default/files/styles/style_image_small/public/2023-01/Parteien_Sitze_Bundestag_2022_EN_0.png?itok=VSpFp21p)