Minister-president facts for kids

A minister-president is a special kind of leader in some countries or parts of countries. They are like the head of government, which means they lead the group of people who run the country or region. This title is often used in places that have a parliamentary system, where the government is chosen by a parliament.

Think of it as another name for a prime minister, premier, or chief minister. The minister-president usually leads the "council of ministers," which is another name for the cabinet or government team.

What Does "Minister-President" Mean?

In English-speaking countries, you might hear similar titles like "premier" or "first minister." These are often used for leaders of regions within a country. The term "prime minister" is usually for the leader of a whole country.

The word "minister-president" comes from the German word Ministerpräsident. It's like a direct translation.

Minister-Presidents Around the World

Austria

Long ago, from 1867 to 1918, the main leader of the government in Austria was called the Ministerpräsident. Before that, they were called Staatskanzler (state chancellor).

Today, the leader of Austria's national government is called the Bundeskanzler (federal chancellor). For the leaders of individual states within Austria, they are called Landeshauptmann (which means "state captain"). In the city of Vienna, the leader is called the Bürgermeister und Landeshauptmann (Mayor and state captain).

See: List of ministers-president of Austria.

Belgium

In Belgium, the term minister-president is used for the leader of a region or a language community. Belgium has different regions and language groups, and each has its own government.

The leader of the main Belgian national government is called the prime minister.

Here's a key difference:

• The national prime minister is chosen by the king and approved by the national parliament.
• The minister-presidents of the regions and communities are chosen directly by their own regional parliaments. They don't need to swear loyalty to the king, only to their parliament.

See:

• Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region
• Minister-President of Flanders
• Minister-President of the French Community
• Minister-President of Wallonia
• Minister-President of the German-speaking Community

Germany

A Minister President (Ministerpräsident) is the head of government in most of Germany's 16 States of Germany.

However, in the three "city-states" (cities that are also states), the leaders have different titles:

• In Berlin, the leader is the Governing Mayor (Regierender Bürgermeister).
• In Hamburg, it's the First Mayor (Erster Bürgermeister).
• In Bremen, it's the Mayor and President of the Senate (Bürgermeister und Präsident des Senates).

At the national level in Germany, the leader of the federal government is called the Chancellor (Kanzler or Bundeskanzler). This role is very similar to a prime minister.

Hungary

The title for Hungary's head of government in Hungarian is miniszterelnök. This word literally means "minister-president."

However, when translated into English, it is almost always called "prime minister." This is because "prime minister" is the more common title for a head of government in countries with a parliamentary system.

Latvia

In Latvia, the head of government is called the Minister-President. This title, ministru prezidents, was created when the German term Ministerpräsident was translated into Latvian. It means "president of ministers."

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the prime minister is officially called "minister-president." People also often use the shorter, informal term "premier."

The prime minister's duties were set out in the constitution in 1848. The official title "minister-president" has been used since 1945 and was added to the constitution in 1983.

Norway

During World War II, when Nazi Germany occupied Norway, the leader of the government from 1942 to 1945 was Vidkun Quisling. He held the title of Minister-President (ministerpresident in Norwegian).

Russian Republic

For a short time during the Russian Republic, the role of a Minister-President was created. Alexander Kerensky was chosen to lead this temporary government.

See also

In Spanish: Ministro presidente para niños