German order of precedence
The German order of precedence is a symbolic hierarchy of the highest federal offices in Germany used to direct protocol. It has no official status, but has been established in practical use. It consists of the holders or chairs of the five permanent constitutional bodies of the Federation.
- The President of Germany, the head of state of Germany.
- The President of the Bundestag, the speaker of the German parliament, the Bundestag.
- The Chancellor of Germany, the head of the government of Germany.
- The President of the Bundesrat, the speaker of the Bundesrat, a federal legislative chamber, in which the governments of the sixteen German states are represented. The president of the Bundesrat is ex officio also deputy to the President of Germany, thus becomes first in the order, while acting on behalf of the President or while acting as head of state during a vacancy of the presidency.
- The President of the Federal [Constitutional Court of Germany|Federal Constitutional Court], the supreme court of Germany.
Living former office-holders
The order of precedence is also observed with respect to former office-holders in some cases, for example if they participate in official ceremonies as honoured guests.Former Presidents of Germany
Former Presidents of the Bundestag
Former Chancellors of Germany
Former Presidents of the Bundesrat
- Björn Engholm
- Walter Momper
- Berndt Seite
- Oskar Lafontaine
- Klaus Wedemeier
- Edmund Stoiber
- Erwin Teufel
- Gerhard Schröder
- Hans Eichel
- Roland Koch
- Kurt Beck
- Klaus Wowereit
- Dieter Althaus
- Matthias Platzeck
- Peter Harry Carstensen
- Ole von Beust
- Peter Müller
- Jens Böhrnsen
- Hannelore Kraft
- Horst Seehofer
- Winfried Kretschmann
- Stephan Weil
- Volker Bouffier
- Stanislaw Tillich
- Malu Dreyer
- Michael Müller
- Daniel Günther
- Dietmar Woidke
- Reiner Haseloff
- Bodo Ramelow
- Peter Tschentscher
- Manuela Schwesig
- Anke Rehlinger