President of Germany Roman Herzog, Johannes Rau, Christian Wulff, Joachim Gauck and Frank-Walter Steinmeier (as yet) have signed and promulgated all bills during their respective terms. The president represents Germany in the world (Art. 59 Basic Law), undertakes foreign visits and receives foreign dignitaries. They also conclude treaties with foreign nations (which do not come into effect until affirmed by the Bundestag), accredit German diplomats and receive the letters of accreditation of foreign diplomats. According to Article 60 (2) of the German Constitution, the president has the power to pardon. This means the president "has the authority to revoke or commute penal or
President of East Germany is convoked and presided over by the President of the "Volkskammer". Any citizen who has reached the age of thirty-five years might stand for election. The administrative reform of 1952 led to the dissolution of the states ("Länder") of East Germany. The "Landerkammer" thereby became meaningless; It met in 1954 for the last time and was formally abolished in 1958. As a result, the "Volkskammer" alone was responsible for the election of the President. On assuming office, the President of the Republic took the following oath before a joint session of the "Volkskammer" and the "Landerkammer": The President of the