abstract
| - The Führer of Germany (German pronunciation: [ˈfyːʁɐ], leader) is the head of state and head of government of Germany. The official title in German is Führer und Reichskanzler aller Germanen (literally, Leader and Reich Chancellor of all Germanics), sometimes shortened to simply Führer und Reichskanzler. The Führer of Germany is often considered one of the world's most powerful people. The role includes being the Supreme Commander (Oberbefehlshaber) of the world's most expensive military with the largest nuclear arsenal; further leading a nation with one of the largest economies by real and nominal GDP which as been described as the world's only contemporary superpower. Article I of the German Constitution vests significant executive power in the office of Führer. These powers include fabrication and execution of national law, the appointment of executive, diplomatic, administrative and judicial officers, and concluding treaties with foreign powers. The Führer also directs the foreign and domestic policy of Germany. Although political power is technically limited by Article VIII of the German Constitution, the traditional philosophy regarding the Führerprinzip (leader principle) has often overridden these restrictions by placing the word of the Führer above that of written law. The Führer is selected by members of the Reichstag on the death, resignation or deposition of their predecessor alongside a deputy. The office may be held for as long as the Führer maints confidence from the Reichstag and must be a member of the Nazi Party as stipulated in the German Constitution. Originally created by Adolf Hitler in 1934 by merging of the offices of Chancellor and President, it was subsequently separated following the death of the inaugural holder in 1947 before being reformed two years later for Albert Speer. The office was formally designated in 1951 in Article I of the Consitution. As of 2000, six individuals have been recognized as having held the office or powers of Führer (including Martin Bormann's term as Reich Chancellor between 1947 and 1949). The current incumbent, Karl-Adolf Fisch, was selected by the Reichstag on November 27, 1994 following the death of Achim Kriebel.
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