Editing Politics of Germany (section)

===Head of state===
{{Main|President of Germany}}
[[File:Berlin - panoramio (165).jpg|thumb|[[Bellevue Palace (Germany)|Bellevue Palace]]]]

The German head of state is the federal president. As in Germany's [[parliamentary system]] of government, the [[Chancellor of Germany (1949–present)|federal chancellor]] runs the government and day-to-day politics, while the role of the federal president is mostly ceremonial. The federal president, by their actions and public appearances, represents the state itself, its existence, its legitimacy, and unity. Their office involves an integrative role.<ref>Website of the Federal President of Germany [http://www.bundespraesident.de/EN/Role-and-Functions/ConstitutionalBasis/ConstitutionalBasis-node.html;jsessionid=199EA05B058DB4F409D855E3A833D30C.2_cid379] Retrieved 13 April 2014</ref> Nearly all actions of the federal president become valid only after a [[countersignature]] of a government member of Germany.

The president is not obliged by Constitution to refrain from political views. The president is expected to give direction to general political and societal debates, but not in a way that is linked to party politics. Most German presidents were active politicians and party members prior to the office, which means that they have to change their political style when becoming president. The function comprises the official residence of [[Bellevue Palace (Germany)|Bellevue Palace]].

Under Article 59 (1) of the [[Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany|Basic Law]], the federal president represents the Federal Republic of Germany in matters of international law, concludes treaties with foreign states on its behalf and accredits diplomats.<ref>Website of the Federal President of Germany [http://www.bundespraesident.de/EN/Role-and-Functions/RoleInTheInternationalArena/roleintheinternationalarena-node.html] Retrieved 28 April 2014.</ref>

All federal laws must be signed by the president before they can come into effect. The president does not have formal a veto, but the conditions for refusing to sign a law on the basis of unconstitutionality are the subject of debate.<ref>{{Cite book|title= Grundrechtsbindung des Gesetzgebers: eine rechtsvergleichende Studie zu Deutschland, Frankreich und den USA|language=de|pages=123ff|first= Friederike Valerie|last= Lange|date=2010|isbn= 978-316-150420-4|publisher= Mohr Siebeck}}</ref> The office is currently held by [[Frank-Walter Steinmeier]] (since 2017). <!--update "current"-->

The federal president does have a role in the political system, especially at the establishment of a new government and the dissolution of the Bundestag (parliament). This role is usually nominal but can become significant in case of political instability. Additionally, a federal president together with the [[German Bundesrat|Federal Council]] can support the government in a "legislatory emergency state" to enable laws against the will of the Bundestag (Article 81 of the Basic Law). However, so far the federal president has never had to use these "[[reserve power]]s".