The most known office holder is Franz von Papen, a former Chancellor who formed a coalition government of national socialists and conservatives. The German cabinet consists of the Chancellor and the Federal Ministers. In the Federal Republic (since 1949), the Chancellors have had no interest in allowing the Deputy to use the title for self promotion. By this time Stresemann, who had moved to Berlin, was one of the best-known leaders of German economic life.   Green, German Empire (Allgemeiner Stellvertreter des Reichskanzlers), Weimar Republic (Allgemeiner Stellvertreter des Reichskanzlers). The function of vice chancellor is to use the specific constitutional powers of the chancellor in case that the chancellor is unable to perform her duties. In contrast to the appointment of a cabinet minister, there is no need for a formal appointment by the President. Stresemann, attending the Universities of Berlin and Leipzig from 1897 to 1900, first studied literature and history but changed to economics, probably to improve his professional prospects rather than in recognition of his practical gifts. From early childhood he displayed a strong “inclination toward solitude,” as he put it as a student, as well as a tendency to be melancholy and to daydream. The German cabinet's rules of procedure state that in absence of both office-holders cabinet meetings shall be chaired by a cabinet member designated for this purpose by either the Chancellor or the Vice Chancellor or, if such a designation has not taken place or if the designee is not able to do so, by the present cabinet member with the longest uninterrupted membership in the federal government (§22.1). The appointment is an exclusive power of the Chancellor. This tradition faded away in the time of Merkel's office, partially, because political heavyweights of the coalition partner chose a different ministry for personal preference. The end of a Chancellor's term in office (either by death or resignation or the first meeting of a newly elected Bundestag) automatically terminates the office of any minister. As a member of the pan-German Deutscher Kolonialverein (German Colonial League) and an advocate of a strong naval construction program, he supported the imperialist goals of German policy carried out under the aegis of Alfred von Tirpitz and Bernhard, Fürst (prince) von Bülow. Should a chancellor resign, die or be permanently unable to perform her duties, the vice chancellor does not automatically replace her. A general deputy has been introduced only in 1878 by law (Stellvertretungsgesetz). .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{}  FKP Vertretungsregelungen für das Amt des Bundeskanzlers und des Bundespräsidenten (AZ: WD 3-3000-016/14), p. 3–4. In such a case the Federal President assigns a minister to serve as acting chancellor until the Bundestag (parliament) elects a new chancellor.[1]). The current office or title exists since the constitution of 1949. Helmut Kohl, (born April 3, 1930, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany—died June 16, 2017, Ludwigshafen am Rhein), German politician who served as chancellor of West Germany from 1982 to 1990 and of the reunified German nation from 1990 to 1998. The chancellor is the head of government and, according to the constitution, gives this title of deputy to one of the Federal Ministers. The party chairman, Ernst Bassermann, helped to advance his political career, and Stresemann was soon considered Bassermann’s “crown prince.” Stresemann was primarily interested in economic policy both as a journalist and a deputy. Germany’s male politicians were the first to make the mistake of underestimating Merkel. After completing his studies, Stresemann began his professional career in a trade association. While a student he belonged to a relatively progressive fraternity and retained a lifelong attachment to the sentimental glories of student life. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. It was used against him in future political struggles by right-wing opposition. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. 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