Bundespräsidium

Wilhelm I., since 1861 King of Prussia, was the only holder of the Präsidium des Bundes during the North German Confederation.

Präsidium des Bundes or Bundespräsidium (German; in English Presidium of the Federation or Federal Presidium) was a function in the German constitutional history. At the time of the German Confederation (1815-1848, 1851-1866), the Austrian delegate was the chair in the Federal Assembly. Therefore, Austria was called the Präsidialmacht. This did not give Austria extra power: its delegate simply led the proceedings of the Federal Assembly.[1]

During the North German Confederation (1867-1870), Präsidium des Bundes (also called Bundespräsidium in the constitution) was an office in the North German constitution. It had the function of a head of state.[2] According to the constitution, the holder of the presidium was always the king of Prussia. The king was also Bundesfeldherr, federal commander-in-chief.

The constitutional changes of 1870/1871 renamed the North German Confederation to German Empire. The title and function of Bundespräsidium remained. But the king received additionally the title Deutscher Kaiser (German Emperor).

Notes

  1. ↑ Ernst Rudolf Huber: Deutsche Verfassungsgeschichte seit 1789. Band I: Reform und Restauration 1789 bis 1830. 2nd edition, Verlag W. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart et.al. 1967, p. 589.
  2. ↑ Ernst Rudolf Huber: Deutsche Verfassungsgeschichte seit 1789. Band III: Bismarck und das Reich. 3rd edition, W. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart 1988, p. 657.
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