List of heads of state of Germany
Under the 1919 Constitution, the first republican constitution of Germany, the President replaced the monarch as ceremonial head of state with semi-presidential powers. The President was to be elected by universal suffrage for a seven-year term. In the event of a vacancy the Chancellor served as Acting President, but in case of a longer vacancy parliament was to decide on the Acting President by law. However, the first President, Friedrich Ebert, was elected by the National Assembly; he also acted as head of state during the revolutionary period, as Co-Chairman of the Council of the People's Deputies, together with Hugo Haase from 10 November 1918 until 29 December 1918 and thereafter together with Philipp Scheidemann.Under the current Constitution, the second republican constitution of Germany, the President is the ceremonial head of state. The President is elected indirectly for a five-year term. In the event of a vacancy the President of the Bundesrat serves as Acting President.During the East German period the title of the heads of state varies from President to Chairman of the Council.
List of German presidents by longevity
The longest-lived president was Walter Scheel, who died at the age of 97 years and 47 days. Scheel became the longest-lived president by living to 15 October 2008. On that day, he became one day older than Karl Dönitz, the previous holder of the oldest president record. The oldest living president, Joachim Gauck, will tie Scheel if he lives to 12 March 2037. The shortest-lived president was Friedrich Ebert, who died at the age of 54 years, 24 days.