Question 70 · Federal question
In 1974, the German Federal President Gustav Heinemann presents Helmut Schmidt with the…
German original (as asked in the real test)
Der deutsche Bundespräsident Gustav Heinemann gibt Helmut Schmidt 1974 die Ernennungsurkunde zum deutschen Bundeskanzler. Was gehört zu den Aufgaben der deutschen Bundespräsidentin/des deutschen Bundespräsidenten?
- A Sie/Er führt die Regierungsgeschäfte.
- B Sie/Er kontrolliert die Regierungspartei.
- C Sie/Er wählt die Ministerinnen/Minister aus.
- D Sie/Er schlägt die Kanzlerin/den Kanzler zur Wahl vor. ✓ Correct answer
Translation
In 1974, the German Federal President Gustav Heinemann presents Helmut Schmidt with the certificate of appointment as German Chancellor. What are the duties of the German Federal President?
- A She/He conducts the government affairs.
- B She/He controls the governing party.
- C She/He selects the ministers.
- D She/He proposes the Chancellor for election. ✓ Correct answer
Explanation
The Federal President's main constitutional duties include proposing a candidate for Federal Chancellor to the Bundestag (Article 63 GG) and formally appointing the Chancellor and ministers (Article 64 GG). The President does not conduct government business, control political parties, or select ministers independently - these are executive functions performed by the Chancellor and government.
Tips
- Distinguish between the Federal President's ceremonial/representative role and the Chancellor's executive role.
- Remember that the President proposes the Chancellor candidate, but the Bundestag elects the Chancellor.
- The President formally appoints ministers, but the Chancellor selects them.
- Eliminate options that describe day-to-day government management or party politics, as these are not presidential functions.
Practice in the app
