Why is the German chancellor more politically powerful than the German president?

In Germany’s parliamentary system, the chancellor holds significant political power because they are the head of government, responsible for initiating policy and leading the cabinet. In contrast, the president serves primarily as the formal head of state, a role intended for an elder statesman of stature whose functions are largely ceremonial, such as signing legislation and treaties.1

The chancellor’s authority is reinforced by the Basic Law, which was designed to prevent the centralization of power seen during the Nazi era. Unlike the president, who cannot unseat a government or unilaterally appoint a new leader during a crisis, the chancellor is elected by the Bundestag and is protected by the "constructive vote of no confidence." This mechanism ensures that a chancellor can only be removed if an absolute majority of the Bundestag has already agreed on a successor, providing the government with greater stability than in many other parliamentary systems.1