List of chancellors of Germany

The chancellor of Germany[1] is the political leader of Germany and the head of the federal government. The office holder is responsible for selecting all other members of the government and chairing cabinet meetings.[2]

  • Top left: Bismarck became the first chancellor with the creation of the North German Federation (1867) and later the German Empire (1871).
  • Top right: Adolf Hitler was chancellor (from 1933) and later Führer of Nazi Germany.
  • Bottom left: In 1949, Konrad Adenauer became the first chancellor of West Germany after World War II.
  • Bottom right: Helmut Kohl held the office during the period of German reunification.

The office was created in the North German Confederation in 1867,[3] when Otto von Bismarck became the first chancellor. With the unification of Germany and establishment of the German Empire in 1871, the Confederation evolved into a German nation-state and its leader became known as the chancellor of Germany.[4]

Originally, the chancellor was only responsible to the emperor. This changed with the constitutional reform in 1918, when the Parliament was given the right to dismiss the Chancellor. Under the 1919 Weimar Constitution the chancellors were appointed by the directly elected President, but were responsible to Parliament.[5] The constitution was set aside during the 1933–1945 Nazi dictatorship. During Allied occupation, no independent German government and no chancellor existed; and the office was not reconstituted in East Germany. The 1949 Basic Law made the chancellor the most important office in West Germany, while diminishing the role of the president.[1]


Holy Roman Empire, Reichsvizekanzler (1527–1806)

In 1559, Emperor Ferdinand I established the agency of an imperial chancellery (Reichshofkanzlei) at the Vienna Hofburg Palace, headed by a vice-chancellor under the nominal authority of the Mainz archbishop. Upon the 1620 Battle of White Mountain, Emperor Ferdinand II created the office of an Austrian court chancellor in charge of the internal and foreign affairs of the Habsburg Monarchy. From 1753 onwards, the office of an Austrian state chancellor was held by Prince Kaunitz. The imperial chancellery lost its importance, and from the days of Maria Theresa and Joseph II, merely existed on paper. After the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, Prince Metternich served as state chancellor of the Austrian Empire (1821–1848), likewise Prince Hardenberg acted as Prussian chancellor (1810–1822).

  • 1527–1531 Balthasar Merklin
  • 1531–1541 Matthias von Held
  • 1541–1547 Johann von Naves
  • 1547–1558 Jakob von Jonas
  • 1559–1563 Georg Sigmund Seld
  • 1566–1570 Johann Ulrich Zasius
  • 1577–1587 Siegmund Vieheuser
  • 1587–1594 Jacob Kurz von Senftenau
  • 1594–1597 Johann Wolfgang Freymann
  • 1597–1606 Rudolf Coraduz von und zu Nußdorf
  • 1606–1612 Leopold von Stralendorf
  • 1612–1627 Hans Ludwig von Ulm
  • 1627–1637 Peter Heinrich von Stralendorf
  • 1637–1659 Ferdinand Sigismund Graf Kurtz von Senftenau
  • 1660–1669 Wilderich von Walderdorff
  • 1669–1694 Leopold Wilhelm Graf von Königsegg-Rothenfels
  • 1694–1695 Gottlieb Amadeus Graf von Windisch-Graetz
  • 1698–1705 Dominik Andreas I. von Kaunitz
  • 1705–1734 Friedrich Karl von Schönborn-Buchheim
  • 1734–1740 Johann Adolf Graf von Metsch
  • 1742–1745 Johann Georg Graf von Königsfeld
  • 1745–1788 Rudolph Joseph von Colloredo
  • 1789–1806 Franz de Paula Gundaker von Colloredo

North German Confederation, Bundeskanzler (1867–1871)

The North German Confederation came into existence after the falling apart of the German Confederation, itself caused by Prussian victory in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. The chancellor was appointed by the Prussian king.[3]

Political party

  None

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)		 Term of office Party
Took office Left office Duration
Count
Otto von Bismarck
(1815–1898)		 1 July
1867		 21 March
1871		 3 years, 263 days Non-partisan

German Empire, Reichskanzler (1871–1918)

The German Empire was born out of the North German Federation as result of the Franco-Prussian War. The newly created Emperor named the Chancellor to serve at his pleasure.[4]

Political parties

  Zentrum   None

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)		 Term of office Party Cabinet
Took office Left office Duration
Prince
Otto von Bismarck
(1815–1898)		 21 March
1871		 20 March
1890		 18 years, 364 days Non-partisan Bismarck
Count
Leo von Caprivi
(1831–1899)		 20 March
1890		 26 October
1894		 4 years, 220 days Non-partisan Caprivi
Prince
Chlodwig zu Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst
(1819–1901)		 29 October
1894		 17 October
1900		 5 years, 353 days Non-partisan Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst
Prince
Bernhard von Bülow
(1849–1929)		 17 October
1900		 14 July
1909		 8 years, 270 days Non-partisan Bülow
Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg
(1856–1921)		 14 July
1909		 13 July
1917		 7 years, 364 days Non-partisan Bethmann-Hollweg
Georg Michaelis
(1857–1936)		 14 July
1917		 1 November
1917		 110 days Non-partisan Michaelis
Count
Georg von Hertling
(1843–1919)		 1 November
1917		 30 September
1918		 333 days Centre Party Hertling
Prince
Max von Baden
(1867–1929)		 3 October
1918		 9 November
1918		 37 days Non-partisan Baden

    Revolutionary period, Reichskanzler (1918–1919)

    On 9 November 1918, Chancellor Max von Baden handed over his office to Friedrich Ebert. Ebert continued to serve as head of government during the three months between the end of the German Empire in November 1918 and the first gathering of the National Assembly in February 1919 as Chairman of the Council of the People's Deputies, until 29 December 1918 together with USPD Leader Hugo Haase.[6]

    Political party

      SPD

    Portrait Name
    (Birth–Death)    		 Term of office Party Cabinet
    Took office Left office Duration
    Friedrich Ebert
    (1871–1925)
    (Reichskanzler and
    Vorsitz des Rates der Volksbeauftragten)    		 9 November
    1918    		 13 February
    1919    		 96 days Social Democratic Party of Germany Council of the People's Deputies

    Weimar Republic, Reichskanzler (1919–1933)

    The Weimar Constitution of 1919 set the framework for the Weimar Republic. The Chancellors were often dependent on support from the President.[1][5]

    Political parties

      SPD   Zentrum   DVP   DDP   DNVP   None

    Portrait Name
    (Birth–Death)    		 Term of office Party Cabinet Reichstag
    Took office Left office Duration
    Philipp Scheidemann
    (1865–1939)
    (Reichsministerpräsident)[lower-alpha 1]    		 13 February
    1919    		 20 June
    1919    		 127 days Social Democratic Party of Germany Scheidemann Nat.Ass.
    (1919)
    Gustav Bauer
    (1870–1944)
    (Reichsministerpräsident;
    from 14 August 1919
    Reichskanzler)[lower-alpha 1]    		 21 June
    1919    		 26 March
    1920    		 279 days Social Democratic Party of Germany Bauer
    Hermann Müller
    (1876–1931)    		 27 March
    1920    		 21 June
    1920    		 86 days Social Democratic Party of Germany Müller I
    Constantin Fehrenbach
    (1852–1926)    		 25 June
    1920    		 4 May
    1921    		 313 days Centre Party Fehrenbach 1
    (1920)
    Joseph Wirth
    (1879–1956)    		 10 May
    1921    		 14 November
    1922    		 1 year, 188 days Centre Party Wirth I
    Wirth II
    Wilhelm Cuno
    (1876–1933)    		 22 November
    1922    		 12 August
    1923    		 263 days Non-partisan Cuno
    Gustav Stresemann
    (1878–1929)    		 13 August
    1923    		 30 November
    1923    		 109 days German People's Party Stresemann I
    Stresemann II
    Wilhelm Marx
    (1863–1946)    		 30 November
    1923    		 15 January
    1925    		 1 year, 46 days Centre Party Marx I
    Marx II 2
    (May.1924)
    Hans Luther
    (1879–1962)    		 15 January
    1925    		 12 May
    1926    		 1 year, 117 days Non-partisan Luther I 3
    (Dec.1924)
    Luther II
    Wilhelm Marx
    (1863–1946)    		 17 May
    1926    		 12 June
    1928    		 2 years, 26 days Centre Party Marx III
    Marx IV
    Hermann Müller
    (1876–1931)[lower-alpha 2]    		 28 June
    1928    		 27 March
    1930    		 1 year, 272 days Social Democratic Party of Germany Müller II 4
    (1928)
    Heinrich Brüning
    (1885–1970)[lower-alpha 3]    		 30 March
    1930    		 30 May
    1932    		 2 years, 61 days Centre Party Brüning I 5
    (1930)
    Brüning II
    Franz von Papen
    (1879–1969)[lower-alpha 3]    		 1 June
    1932    		 17 November
    1932    		 169 days Non-partisan Papen 6
    (Jul.1932)
    Kurt von Schleicher
    (1882–1934)[lower-alpha 3]    		 3 December
    1932    		 28 January
    1933    		 56 days Non-partisan Schleicher 7
    (Nov.1932)
    1. The title of Chancellor was not formally used until the Weimar Constitution took effect. Instead Scheidemann and Bauer were appointed as Reichsministerpräsident (Minister-President or Prime Minister).
    2. Müller was the last parliamentary chancellor until Konrad Adenauer in 1949
    3. Non-parliamentary chancellor, appointed by Reichpraesident Paul von Hindenburg after no majority parliamentary coalition could be formed

    Nazi Germany, Reichskanzler (1933–1945)

    Adolf Hitler's Machtergreifung (seizure of power) marked the end of the Weimar Republic and the beginning of Nazi Germany. Hitler reigned as dictator and consolidated all power to himself.

    Political parties

      NSDAP

    Portrait Name
    (Birth–Death)    		 Term of office Party Cabinet Reichstag[lower-alpha 1]
    Took office Left office Duration
    Adolf Hitler
    (1889–1945)[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3]
    (Führer und Reichskanzler from 2 August 1934)    		 30 January
    1933    		 30 April
    1945    		 12 years, 90 days National Socialist
    German Workers' Party    		 Hitler 8 (Mar. 1933)
    9 (Nov. 1933)
    10 (Mar. 1936)
    11 (Apr. 1938)
    Joseph Goebbels
    (1897–1945)[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4]    		 30 April
    1945    		 1 May
    1945    		 1 day National Socialist
    German Workers' Party    		 (Cabinet nominated in Hitler's testament but never convened) —
    Lutz Graf Schwerin von Krosigk
    (1887–1977)
    (Leading Minister at Flensburg)[lower-alpha 5][lower-alpha 6]    		 2 May
    1945    		 23 May
    1945    		 21 days National Socialist
    German Workers' Party    		 Schwerin von Krosigk —
    1. No elections held during World War II. Last convened on 26 April 1942.
    2. Non-parliamentary chancellor, appointed by Reichpraesident Paul von Hindenburg after no majority parliamentary coalition could be formed
    3. Committed suicide in office.
    4. Appointed by Adolf Hitler in his Political Testament
    5. Appointed by Reichspräsident Karl Dönitz after the suicide of Goebbels
    6. Arrested; government dissolved.[7]

    Federal Republic of Germany, Bundeskanzler (from 1949)
    See also: Chancellor of Germany

    In 1949, two separate German states were established: the Federal Republic of Germany (known as West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (known as East Germany). The list below gives the Chancellors of West Germany; the government of East Germany was headed by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers.[8] In 1990, East Germany was dissolved as it merged with West Germany; Germany was reunified. It retained the name of the Federal Republic of Germany.[9]

    Political parties

      CDU   SPD   FDP

    Portrait Name
    (Birth–Death)    		 Term of office Party Cabinet Bundestag
    Took office Left office Duration
    Konrad Adenauer
    (1876–1967)    		 15 September
    1949    		 20 October
    1953    		 14 years, 30 days Christian Democratic Union
    (CDU)    		 Adenauer I
    CDU/CSU–FDP–DP    		 1 (1949)
    20 October
    1953    		 29 October
    1957    		 Adenauer II
    CDU/CSU–FDP/FVP–DP–GB/BHE    		 2 (1953)
    29 October
    1957    		 14 November
    1961    		 Adenauer III
    CDU/CSU–DP    		 3 (1957)
    14 November
    1961    		 13 December
    1962    		 Adenauer IV
    CDU/CSU–FDP    		 4 (1961)
    14 December
    1962    		 15 October
    1963    		 Adenauer V
    CDU/CSU–FDP
    Ludwig Erhard
    (1897–1977)    		 16 October
    1963    		 26 October
    1965    		 3 years, 45 days No party membership;[10]
    affiliated with the
    Christian Democratic Union
    (CDU)    		 Erhard I
    CDU/CSU–FDP
    26 October
    1965    		 30 November
    1966    		 Erhard II
    CDU/CSU–FDP    		 5 (1965)
    Kurt Georg Kiesinger
    (1904–1988)    		 1 December
    1966    		 21 October
    1969    		 2 years, 324 days Christian Democratic Union
    (CDU)    		 Kiesinger
    CDU/CSU–SPD
    Willy Brandt
    (1913–1992)    		 22 October
    1969    		 15 December
    1972    		 4 years, 197 days Social Democratic Party of Germany
    (SPD)    		 Brandt I
    SPD–FDP    		 6 (1969)
    15 December
    1972    		 7 May
    1974    		 Brandt II
    SPD–FDP    		 7 (1972)
    Walter Scheel
    (1919–2016)
    Acting Chancellor[lower-alpha 1]    		 7 May
    1974    		 16 May
    1974    		 9 days Free Democratic Party
    (FDP)    		 (acting)
    Helmut Schmidt
    (1918–2015)    		 16 May
    1974    		 14 December
    1976    		 8 years, 138 days Social Democratic Party of Germany
    (SPD)    		 Schmidt I
    SPD–FDP
    16 December
    1976    		 4 November
    1980    		 Schmidt II
    SPD–FDP    		 8 (1976)
    6 November
    1980    		 1 October
    1982    		 Schmidt III
    SPD–FDP    		 9 (1980)
    Helmut Kohl
    (1930–2017)    		 1 October
    1982    		 29 March
    1983    		 16 years, 26 days Christian Democratic Union
    (CDU)    		 Kohl I
    CDU/CSU–FDP
    30 March
    1983    		 11 March
    1987    		 Kohl II
    CDU/CSU–FDP    		 10 (1983)
    12 March
    1987    		 18 January
    1991    		 Kohl III
    CDU/CSU–FDP    		 11 (1987)
    18 January
    1991    		 17 November
    1994    		 Kohl IV
    CDU/CSU–FDP    		 12 (1990)
    17 November
    1994    		 27 October
    1998    		 Kohl V
    CDU/CSU–FDP    		 13 (1994)
    Gerhard Schröder
    (1944–)    		 27 October
    1998    		 22 October
    2002    		 7 years, 26 days Social Democratic Party of Germany
    (SPD)    		 Schröder I
    SPD–Green    		 14 (1998)
    22 October
    2002    		 22 November
    2005    		 Schröder II
    SPD–Green    		 15 (2002)
    Angela Merkel
    (1954–)    		 22 November
    2005    		 28 October
    2009    		 14 years, 153 days Christian Democratic Union
    (CDU)    		 Merkel I
    CDU/CSU–SPD    		 16 (2005)
    28 October
    2009    		 17 December
    2013    		 Merkel II
    CDU/CSU–FDP    		 17 (2009)
    17 December
    2013    		 14 March
    2018    		 Merkel III
    CDU/CSU–SPD    		 18 (2013)
    14 March
    2018    		 Incumbent Merkel IV
    CDU/CSU–SPD    		 19 (2017)
    1. As Vice Chancellor under Brandt, Scheel served as acting Chancellor following Brandt's resignation.[11]

    Timeline

    1867–1945
    Joseph GoebbelsAdolf HitlerKurt von SchleicherFranz von PapenGustav StresemannFriedrich EbertOtto von Bismarck

    Since 1949
    Angela MerkelHelmut KohlHelmut SchmidtWilly Brandt

    See also
    Germany
    This article is part of a series on the
    politics and government of
    Germany

    EU Member State

    Germany portal
    EU portal
    • Other countries
    • List of German monarchs
    • List of German presidents
    • Minister-Presidents of the French "Saar protectorate"
    • Leadership of East Germany
    • Vice-Chancellor of Germany#Lists of Vice Chancellors
    • List of chancellors of Germany by time in office
    • Religious affiliations of Chancellors of Germany

    References
    1. "Neuland Grundgesetz | Abkehr von Weimarer Verfassung – Reaktion auf Nazi-Deutschland" [Virgin Soil "Basic Law" | Departure from Weimar Constitution - Reaction to Nazi Germany] (in German). Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung. 1 September 2008. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
    2. "Tasks of the Federal Chancellor". bundeskanzlerin.de. The Press and Information Office of the Federal Government. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
    3. Verfassung des Norddeutschen Bundes  [North German Constitution] (in German). 26 June 1867 – via Wikisource.
    4. Constitution of the German Empire  [Verfassung des Deutschen Reichs]. 16 April 1871 – via Wikisource.
    5. "The Seeds of Evil: The Rise of Hitler — The Constitution of the Weimar Republic". schoolshistory.org.uk. 2004. Archived from the original on 20 August 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
    6. "Biografie Friedrich Ebert 1871-1925" [Biography of Friedrich Ebert]. www.dhm.de/lemo (in German). LeMO/Deutsches Historisches Museum. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
    7. Hillmann, Jörg; Zimmermann, John (2014) [2002]. "Die »Reichsregierung« in Flensburg" [The "Government" in Flensburg]. Kriegsende 1945 in Deutschland (in German). Munich: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG. pp. 35–65. ISBN 978-3-486-83332-4.
    8. "Entstehung der DDR: Verfassung und Führungsrolle der SED" [Formation of the GDR: Constitution and the SED's Leadership Role]. www.hdg.de/lemo (in German). LeMO/Haus der Geschichte. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
    9. "Vertrag zwischen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland und der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik über die Herstellung der Einheit Deutschlands (Einigungsvertrag)" [Unification Treaty between the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic]. Treaty of 31 August 1990 (in German). Retrieved 13 March 2018.
    10. Jörges, Hans Ulrich; Wüllenweber, Walter (25 April 2007). "CDU-Altkanzler: Ludwig Erhard war nie CDU-Mitglied" (in German). Der Stern. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
    11. McFadden, Robert D. (24 August 2016). "Walter Scheel, Leading Figure in West German Thaw With the East, Dies at 97". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 March 2018.

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