The German Federal President is elected every five years by the Federal Convention – a body of over 1,400 members drawn from Bundestag seats and state parliament delegations. The next convening is slated for early 2027, once incumbent Frank‑Walter Steinmeier’s term expires. Because the vote is indirect, the outcome hinges on party negotiations rather than a nationwide popular ballot, a nuance that often surprises outsiders.

The voting procedure uses a secret ballot and proceeds in up to three rounds. In the first two rounds a candidate needs an absolute majority; if no one reaches that threshold, the third round drops the requirement to a simple plurality. This system speeds up the count and ensures a result is declared on the same day the Convention meets, making the ‘results’ moment both swift and decisive.