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Original poster

Angela Merckle

18 replies

mumofone1234 · 20/12/2016 20:12

Quick question. She's the chancellor, not the prime minister/president. I must admit I don't know who their head of state is. Why is it always about her?

OP posts:
Original poster
mumofone1234 · 20/12/2016 20:13

Showing my ignorance here.. is the chancellor their head of state?

OP posts:
LuckBeALadyHey · 20/12/2016 20:13

The chancellor is the head of government in Germany.

HTH.

LuckBeALadyHey · 20/12/2016 20:13

Sorry, cross posted.

Yes you've got it!

tribpot · 20/12/2016 20:16

It's not Chancellor like our Chancellor of the Exchequer, i.e. the finance minister. In Germany it's the equivalent of Prime Minister.

I couldn't have told you who their head of state is either, but it turns out it's Joachim Gauck. I'm sure I've never even heard his name before!

Original poster
mumofone1234 · 20/12/2016 20:22

Thank you! That makes sense now. And to luckbealadynow, if you're being a dick with your HTH then do fuck off dear. I was just asking a question

OP posts:
LuckBeALadyHey · 20/12/2016 20:26

Whoa, WTF? Confused

tribpot · 20/12/2016 20:27

It just came across like a neutral 'hope that helps' to me, not sure why it seems to have caused offence!

LuckBeALadyHey · 20/12/2016 20:29

Can't do right for doing wrong on 't internet. I was just trying to help. Hiding this thread now.

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 20/12/2016 20:30

HTH on here is usually meant in a snotty way so I get why the OP may have seen it like that

Original poster
mumofone1234 · 20/12/2016 20:31

Ok, sorry, I have only seen HTH used sarcastically. Apologies as you meant it genuinely. You said cross posts yes you've got it right to something I had already said in my first post. Don't want a bun fight, just wanted to know the answer to my question.

OP posts:
AuntieStella · 20/12/2016 20:32

HTH might be unexceptional on other sites, but on MN it is passive aggressive to the point of insult.

New posters are sometimes caught out by MN jargon and habits, and don't always realise how badly things can seem in this this community.

Original poster
mumofone1234 · 20/12/2016 20:33

Thanks livia
No harm done. Thanks for answering my question so quickly.

OP posts:
ChaChaChaCh4nges · 20/12/2016 20:35

So how did Gauck get to be head of state? Is it an elected position in Germany?

Original poster
mumofone1234 · 20/12/2016 20:35

Thank you AuntieStella
It's like being back at secondary school on here sometimes. If you don't know the rules you get crucified!

OP posts:
ChaChaChaCh4nges · 20/12/2016 20:41

The president is elected by secret ballot, without debate, for a term of five years by the Federal Convention which mirrors the aggregated majority situation of the Bundestag and the parliaments of the 16 German federal states

From Wiki.

Original poster
mumofone1234 · 20/12/2016 21:04

chachacha, I expect you won't get many replies because most people are as cluless as me! Hoping for some good replies though, as would love to learn.

OP posts:
Itisnoteasybeingdifferent · 20/12/2016 22:12

Whatever her title is...
She may be toast by next summer...

BigChocFrenzy · 20/12/2016 22:28

I live in Germany, so here's what I know:

Chancellor Merkel heads the government and actually runs the country. i.e like our PM does.
The president is head of state. So, even though he's elected, he's rather like the Queen, but minus any glamour or corgis.
I found before that my German colleagues couldn't even name their head of state - he's that exciting Smile

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