The Federal Government
The Federal Government and cabinet is made up of the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Ministers. While the Chancellor holds the power to issue directives, the ministers have departmental powers, meaning that they independently run their respective ministries in the framework of those directives. Moreover, the cabinet abides by the collegial principle; in disputes the Federal Government decides by majority. The affairs of state are managed by the Chancellor.
Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel
Angela Merkel was re-electected Chancellor by the Bundestag in October 2009. The Federal Chancellor is elected by the Bundestag after being proposed by the Federal President. The Federal Chancellor then proposes to the Federal President which ministers should be appointed or dismissed. The Federal Chancellor heads the Federal Government in keeping with rules of procedure authorized by the Federal President. She bears responsibility for the Government vis-à-vis the Bundestag and in the case of national defense is supreme commander of the German Armed Forces. (*)
Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle
Guido Westerwelle has been Federal Foreign Minister and Vice-Chancellor since October 2009. The primary goal of German foreign policy is to preserve peace and security in the world.
Federal Minister of the Interior Thomas de Maizìere
The Federal Minister of the Interior's most important responsibility is guaranteeing the country’s internal security. The ministry’s responsibilities also cover policy on foreigners and asylum, the public service, administrative reform, constitutional law and sports.
Federal Minister of Justice Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger
The Federal Ministry of Justice is primarily a ministry of legislation and advice. It drafts legislation in the fields of law assigned to its remit, mainly in the fields of civil law, commercial and economic law, criminal law and procedural law of the different jurisdictions.
Federal Minister of Finance Wolfgang Schäuble
The Federal Minister of Finance is responsible for all aspects of the German finance and tax policy as well as the basic direction of economic policy.
Federal Minister of Economics and Technology Rainer Brüderle
The essential task of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology is to shape the conditions that foster successful economic activity on the basis of personal and entrepreneurial freedom, competition and stability.
Federal Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Franz Josef Jung
The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs works to keep the social systems operational, to ensure social integration, and to create the framework for more jobs. Because these responsibilities touch many policy fields, the ministry works to find inter-agency solutions, also coordinating with federal states and communities.
Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Ilse Aigner
The ministry's main aims include promoting a balanced, healthy diet and safe foods, ensuring that everyday goods are safe, assisting in the development of clear consumer rights and helping to ensure that the agricultural sector is strong and able to perform.
Federal Minister of Defense Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg
The Federal Ministry of Defense performs the specific functions of the technical department for military defense, centering its efforts on planning and military policy matters, the supreme command, the supreme authority for Bundeswehr administration including the armaments organization with a focus on procurement for the armed forces.
Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth Ursula von der Leyen
The Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth works for the consideration of family interests and creates better conditions for parents to fulfill their responsibilities in partnership. It is also responsible for policy related to senior citizens, gender equality, and protection of children and youths.
Federal Minister for Health Philipp Rösler
Among the central responsibilities of the Federal Ministry of Health is maintaining, securing and further developing the service capacity of the statutory health insurance as well nursing care insurance. The reform of the health care system is one of the ministry’s most important tasks.
Federal Minister of Transport, Building and Urban Development Peter Ramsauer
All federal responsibility for transportation and building infrastructure are concentrated in the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs. In addition, Minister Ramsauer is also the Federal Government Commissioner for the New Federal States.
Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Norbert Röttgen
The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety is responsible for Germany's fundamental environmental policy, implementing its integrated climate and energy program, safety of nuclear facilities, and other issues, including water conservation, waste management policy and clean air.
Federal Minister of Education and Research Annette Schavan
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research wants to improve German citizens’ opportunities for participation and personal development. At the same time, it is working to maintain Germany's competitiveness and create new jobs through innovative technologies and services.
Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Dirk Niebel
The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development develops the guidelines and the fundamental concepts on which German development policy is based.
Head of the Federal Chancellery Ronald Pofalla
The Head of the Federal Chancellery is in charge of the federal government's central coordination office. This office is also an important liaison to the parliament, to the federal states, to groups and individuals and to representatives of foreign states. Pofalla is also Federal Minister for Special Tasks.
(*) Source:
Facts About Germany
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