A number of presidential offices have existed in Germany since the abolition of the imperial monarchy in 1918. During the 1919-1933 Weimar Republic the head of state was the Reichspräsident ("Reich President"). From 1934-1945, during the Nazi era, Adolf Hitler presided under the the title of Führer und Reichskanzler ("Führer and Reich Chancellor"). On Hitler's death in 1945 Karl Dönitz briefly became Reichspräsident.

From 1949-1990 Germany was divided between East Germany and West Germany. During its existence there was only one individual in East Germany to bear the title of President on a permanent basis. This was Wilhelm Pieck who was State President (Staatspräsident) from 1949-1960. Upon its establishment the head of state of West Germany became the Federal President (Bundespräsident) and, since reunification in 1990, the holder of this office has been the president of all Germany.

Presidents of the German Reich (1919-1945)

Heads of state of the German Democratic Republic (1949-1990)

Presidents of the Federal Republic of Germany (1949-present)

List of acting heads of state

• Hans Luther (DVP) was acting Reichspräsident from 28th February to 12th March, 1925.
• Walter Simons was acting Reichspräsident from 12th March to 12th May, 1925.
• Karl Arnold (CDU) was acting head of state of West Germany from September 7th to September 12th, 1949. He filled this role in his capacity as President of the Bundesrat.
• Johannes Dieckmann (SED) briefly filled the role of acting State President of East Germany on two occasions: in 1949 (before Wilhelm Pieck took office) and again in 1960 (after Pieck left office).
• Fritz Ebert (LDPD) was Acting Chairman of the Council of State in East Germany from 1 August 1973 to 3 October 1973.
• Manfred Gerlach (LDPD) was Acting Chairman of the Council of State in East Germany from 6 December 1989 to 5 April 1990.

See also

• History of Germany
• Politics of Germany