The Confederation of the Rhine, better known as Rhineland, is the successor state to the former German Confederation. The name recalls the Napoleonic Confederation of the Rhine. The Confederation was formed under Bavarian leadership as a defensive league against Austrian expansionism. The King of Bavaria became Presiding King of Rhineland. The Presiding King of Rhineland is elected for life from amongst the five kings, with the rulers of all the constituent states voting.