Peter Harry Carstensen is a German politician of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). From 2005 to 2012 he was Minister President of the state of Schleswig-Holstein, serving as President of the Bundesrat in 2005/06.
Peter Harry Carstensen in 2010
President of the German Bundesrat
In Germany, the President of the Bundesrat or President of the Federal Council is the chairperson (speaker) of the Bundesrat. The president is elected by the Bundesrat for a term of one year. Traditionally, the presidency of the Bundesrat rotates among the leaders of the sixteen state governments. This is however only an established practice; theoretically the Bundesrat is free to elect any member it chooses, and a president could also be re-elected. As well as acting as a chairperson, the president of the Bundesrat is ex officio deputy of the Federal President. The President of the German Federal Council is 4th in the German order of precedence. In addition, the main celebration of German Unity Day is traditionally held in the state that holds the presidency.
President of the German Bundesrat
Image: KAS Arnold, Karl Bild 398 1
Image: Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild F011950 0010, Hans Ehard cropped
Image: Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild F046120 0016, Koblenz, "Rittersturz Konferenz", Kopf