The Emperor
The King of Prussia was named in the constitution as the "President of the Confederation", and given the title of German Emperor (Deutscher Kaiser). Therefore, the emperorship was tied to the office of the King of Prussia instead of a personal union between the Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. This meant that, unlike Wilhelm II had come to assume at the end of World War I, he could not abdicate merely as German Emperor while keeping the Prussian crown (unless he were to have agreed to renounce the entire constitution which would have been, in effect, the de jure dissolution of the Empire.
The emperor had the power to declare war (and make peace), represented the Empire abroad, conclude treaties and alliances, and accredit and receive ambassadors. In the case of a non-defensive war being declared, consent of the Bundesrat was required. Both chambers of parliament had to approve a treaty for it to be ratified. (all Article 11)
The emperor also appointed the chancellor.
Other powers were:
- To convene the Bundesrat and the Reichstag (Article 12); the convocation of the Bundesrat was required to take place as soon as demanded by one-third of its members (Article 14).
- To prepare and publish Imperial laws (Article 17).
- To appoint Imperial officials (Article 18).
Read more about this topic: Constitution Of The German Empire
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