Reciprocal representation by members of the Federal Government
Article Ranks & titles
Official order of precedence for the federal ministers
On 8 December 2021, the Federal Cabinet adopted the official order of precedence for the federal ministers and the rules for reciprocal representation by members of the government on the basis of proposals by the head of the Federal Chancellery. The Federal Chancellor designated as her deputy the Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy, in accordance with Article 69 (1) of the Basic Law.
| Who is represented | by whom: |
| The Federal Chancellor | Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Action |
| Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Action | Federal Minister of Finance |
| Federal Minister of Finance | Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Action |
| Federal German Minister of Interior and Community | Federal Minister of Justice |
| Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs | Federal Minister of Defence |
| Federal Minister of Justice | Federal German Minister of Interior and Community |
| Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs | Federal Minister of Health |
| Federal Minister of Defence | Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs |
| Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture | Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development |
| Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth | Federal Minister of Education and Research |
| Federal Minister of Health | Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs |
| Federal Minister for Digital and Transport | Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection |
| Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection | Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building |
| Federal Minister of Education and Research | Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth |
| Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development | Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture |
| Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building | Federal Minister for Digital and Transport |
Note:
If the designated minister is unable to serve as deputy, then the minister is to be represented by the minister who follows him or her in terms of seniority in office. However, if no minister with less seniority is available, then the minister is to be represented by the available minister who is next in rank in terms of seniority in office.
