The Federal Council elected the Thuringian Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow as the new Federal Council President on Friday.
The left-wing politician replaces the previous head of the Chamber of States, Saxony-Anhalt's Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff, at the beginning of November.
Ramelow announced that, as President of the Federal Council, he would campaign for society to grow together.
"What you can achieve with such a representative office is to set an example," he told the German Press Agency in Erfurt in advance.
He will hold the office for one year.
Haseloff remains first vice-president, Hamburg's mayor Peter Tschentscher becomes second vice-president.
The Federal Council Presidency rotates once a year between the Prime Ministers of the federal states and is independent of the number of inhabitants, the size of the federal state or party-political considerations.
In his closing speech, Haseloff appealed to remain vigilant during the corona pandemic.
He also warned that “respect for democratic norms and institutions” has been dwindling recently.
“We all have to stand up for an open society.
Every day anew and with great determination.
Hatred and agitation must have no place in our society, ”said Haseloff.
Racism and discrimination have become a serious problem.