Germany’s presidential election to be held Sunday

The election of Germany’s Federal President will take place on Sunday.

Incumbent President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, 66, a Social Democrat, who was previously Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2005 to 2009 and again from 2013 to 2017, as well as Vice-Chancellor of Germany from 2007 to 2009, is seen as a favorite to win the election.

The Federal President is elected by the Federal Convention, which is convened by the President of the German Bundestag. He is responsible for preparation and organization prior, during and after the Convention.

The Federal Convention consists of the Members of the Bundestag and an equal number of members elected by the parliaments of the Länder.

Electing the Federal President is the sole task of the Federal Convention. The details of the election are governed by the Presidential Election Act, which is based on Article 54 (7) of the Basic Law.

The Federal President must be a German national, be entitled to vote in Bundestag elections, and have attained the age of forty. The term of office is five years. Reelection for a consecutive term is permitted only once. (ILKHA)