The Chancellor of Germany (German: Reichskanzler) is the German head of government. While the Emperor is the country's head of state and titular ruler, the Chancellor is the de facto leader of the nation and wields considerable political power. The Chancellor is responsible to the parliament, or Reichstag, and leads the party or coalition with a majority of seats in that body. The appointment of the Chancellor is made by the Emperor. Nineteen people have served as Chancellor. Political affiliation dates only from the 1930s; prior to this the Chancellor was not a partisan office. One Chancellor, Helmut Kohl, served for two non-consecutive terms. The incumbent Chancellor, Angela Merkel, is the first woman to hold the post.