Chancellor of Germany (1949–present) clear focus of power in Germany. Under the provisions of the Basic Law giving him the power to set guidelines for all fields of policy, Adenauer arrogated nearly all major decisions to himself. He often treated his ministers as mere extensions of his authority rather than colleagues. While his successors have tended to be less domineering, the chancellor has acquired enough ex officio authority (in addition to his/her constitutional powers) that Germany is often described by constitutional law experts as a "chancellor democracy". The chancellor determines the composition of the Federal Cabinet. The President formally appoints and dismisses cabinet ministers,
United Team of Germany at the 1956 Summer Olympics United Team of Germany at the 1956 Summer Olympics Germany was represented at the 1956 Summer Olympics by a "United Team of Germany" of athletes from the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) ("West Germany") and, for the first time at Summer Games, also from the German Democratic Republic (GDR) ("East Germany") which had not joined in 1952. Also, the Saarland athletes who had to enter as a separate team in 1952 could now join in even though the accession of their state was not yet in effect. Thus, this was the only Olympic team ever to comprise athletes from three