German order of precedence

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The German order of precedence is a symbolic hierarchy of the highest federal offices in Germany used to direct protocol. It has no official status, but has been established in practical use.^[1] It consists of the holders or chairs of the five permanent constitutional bodies of the Federation.^[a]

1. The President of Germany, the head of state of Germany.
2. The President of the Bundestag, the speaker of the German parliament, the Bundestag.
3. The Chancellor of Germany, the head of the government of Germany.
4. (1.) The President of the Bundesrat, the speaker of the Bundesrat, a federal legislative chamber, in which the governments of the sixteen German states are represented. The president of the Bundesrat is ex officio also deputy to the President of Germany (Basic Law, Article 57), thus becomes first in the order, while acting on behalf of the President or while acting as head of state during a vacancy of the presidency.
5. The President of the Federal Constitutional Court, the supreme court of Germany.

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