Every federal president of Germany
The top 3 according to 48 votes from people: Theodor Heuss · Walter Scheel · Johannes Rau. (Updated May 2, 2026.)
From Theodor Heuss, elected the first federal president in 1949, to Frank-Walter Steinmeier: the twelve heads of state of the Federal Republic, in order, with party. The president is chosen by the Federal Convention for five years and can serve at most two terms.
Automatically translated (original in Deutsch). See the original
Top 12
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1
Theodor Heuss
1st federal president, 1949–1959 (FDP). The first federal president.
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2
Walter Scheel
4th federal president, 1974–1979 (FDP).
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3
Johannes Rau
8th federal president, 1999–2004 (SPD).
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4
Heinrich Lübke
2nd federal president, 1959–1969 (CDU). Resigned a few months before the end of his second term.
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5
Richard von Weizsäcker
6th federal president, 1984–1994 (CDU). His speech of 8 May 1985 is seen as historic; first president of reunified Germany.
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6
Roman Herzog
7th federal president, 1994–1999 (CDU). Known for his 1997 "jolt" speech.
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7
Christian Wulff
10th federal president, 2010–2012 (CDU). Resigned after about 20 months, the shortest tenure.
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8
Gustav Heinemann
3rd federal president, 1969–1974 (SPD). The first Social Democrat in the office.
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9
Karl Carstens
5th federal president, 1979–1984 (CDU).
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10
Horst Köhler
9th federal president, 2004–2010 (CDU). Resigned unexpectedly in 2010.
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11
Joachim Gauck
11th federal president, 2012–2017 (independent). A former East German civil-rights activist and pastor.
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12
Frank-Walter Steinmeier
12th federal president, since 2017 (SPD). Re-elected for a second term in 2022.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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