Vice-Chancellor of Germany

The Deputy to the Federal Chancellor (Stellvertreter des Bundeskanzlers), commonly known as Vice-Chancellor (Vizekanzler), is the second highest ranking German cabinet member. The chancellor is the head of government and, according to the constitution, gives this title of deputy to one of the Federal Ministers. It is common that the title is given to the major minister provided by the (smaller) coalition partner.

In everyday politics, being a vice chancellor is more an honorary title. The vice-chancellor may head cabinet meetings when the chancellor is abroad. The function of vice chancellor is to use the specific constitutional powers of the chancellor in case that the chancellor is unable to perform his or her duties. This kind of substitution has never been made use of in the history of the Federal Republic.

Should a chancellor resign, die or be permanently unable to perform his or her duties, the vice chancellor does not automatically become the next chancellor. In such a case the Federal President assigns a minister to serve as acting chancellor until the Bundestag (parliament) elects a new chancellor.

Although Stellvertreter is the constitutional term, most Germans know the Deputy by the expression Vice-Chancellor (Vizekanzler).

The current Vice-Chancellor of Germany is Machi Tobaye.