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Chancellor of Germany

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The main hall of the German Parliament in 2006, showing where important government discussions take place.

The chancellor of Germany is the leader of the federal government of Germany. This person helps make big decisions for the country. The chancellor is chosen by the Bundestag, which is like Germany's parliament, after the federal president suggests who should be chancellor.

Right now, the chancellor is Friedrich Merz from the Christian Democratic Union. He started his job on 6 May 2025. Before him, ten people served as chancellor since 1949. The first one was Konrad Adenauer, who led from 1949 to 1963.

The role of the chancellor in Germany has a long history, going back to the Holy Roman Empire around the year 900. At first, the chancellor was the head of church leaders at the emperor's chapel. Over time, this role grew in importance.

The modern role of chancellor began in 1867 with the North German Confederation, formed after Prussia's victory in the Austro-Prussian War. Otto von Bismarck became the first chancellor of this new confederation. In 1871, it evolved into the German Empire, and the chancellor's role continued through changes in government until today.

Images

Friedrich Merz, the leader of the CDU political party, speaking at a campaign event in Erfurt in 2024.
Willy Brandt speaking at an SPD party conference in Dortmund, Germany, in 1983.
Historical photo of German Chancellor Ludwig Erhard giving a press conference in The Hague in 1964.
Portrait of Helmut Schmidt, who served as Chancellor of Germany in 1977.
Portrait of Helmut Kohl from a historical political poster.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder speaking at a political conference in Berlin in 2015.
Portrait of Angela Merkel, former Chancellor of Germany, taken in 2010.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the German Mission to the United Nations in New York City.
Politicians signing an agreement during a formal meeting in Germany.
Portrait of Dr. Konrad Adenauer, who served as the first Chancellor of West Germany.
A black-and-white photograph of a political leader speaking at a public meeting in Essen during the 1960s.
Portrait of Willy Brandt, the German chancellor, taken in 1971.
Portrait of Franz Blücher, a German government official who served as Minister for Marshall Plan Affairs from 1949 to 1953.
Event, CDU, Wahlkampf mit Friedrich Merz in Erfurt 2024: Friedrich Merz (CDU-Parteivorsitzender)

Related articles

Bundestag
Holy Roman Empire
German Empire

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