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.
Germany Foundation
The Germany Foundation () was a German organisation associated with the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union, that existed from 1966 to 2007. It was founded in Rosenheim in Bavaria and incorporated in 1967. The organisation was founded by author Kurt Ziesel after a visit to Konrad Adenauer, who became its first honorary president. From 1967 to 2001 the foundation awarded the Konrad Adenauer Prize and published the magazine "Deutschland-Magazin". The foundation was viewed as an organisation of the conservative faction within CDU/CSU, and was staunchly anti-communist.