Talk:Richard von Weizsäcker

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"Freiherr" is equal to the English title "lord", and since not all English-speaking people know what "Freiherr" is, the translation should be included. See the anglicization policy. Ertz 15:43, 16 Mar 2004 (UTC)

Maybe the title should be linked and an article written explaining what it means? -- Schnee 08:35, 17 Mar 2004 (UTC)

I've created an article Freiherr (a bit stubby at the moment). BTW: The German wikipedia article Freiherr says the title is equal to Baron or Sir. -- till we *) 10:54, 17 Mar 2004 (UTC)

P.S.: See also the table on the article nobility

P.P.S.: http://www.genealogienetz.de/misc/nobility_faq.html gives also some valuable information on this topic -- and seconds the title "Baron" for a "Freiherr von".

"Lord" is not a real title, but it is used when addressing persons who actually have a different (real) title, from baron to duke, as "Herr" is, less consequent, in German. Freiherr is equal to Baron, and a Baron is in English usually adressed "lord" (for instance, baron Rothschild used the title "lord" in English). Elizabeth A 23:27, 23 Apr 2004 (UTC)

I think "Freiherr" should be removed because nobility is abolished in Germany, this information could be added in the Article. The "von" remained as a part of the name.

It's true that nobility is abolished, but both the "Freiherr" and the "von" are part of his legal name. (However today it's only a part of the name and can be passed on to adopted children, via the female line etc. just like any other name) Kellner

I have removed the paragraph which said that "Freiherr" is a title and not a name. It is not a title, because Germany has abolished noble titles. If he uses it as part of his name (as many other people do), it should be included as part of his name. If he doesn't, it should be removed. Adam 08:03, 31 December 2006 (UTC)

Contents 1 uncontested election 2 Honorary doctorates 3 He was the chair of a commission installed by the current social democratic-green government for reforming the Bundeswehr. 4 counting of presidents

[edit] uncontested election

The article says "Due to the high esteem in which he is being held by Germany's political establishment, he is so far the only candidate to have stood for elections for the office of federal president uncontested;"

However, the article on the first president of the Federal Republic of Germany, Theodor_Heuss, mentions: "... In 1954 he was reelected with no opposition and held office until September 12, 1959."

Someone should check and amend either.

Theodor Heuß had seven opposing candidates in this election (one being former short-term president Karl Dönitz, another being Chancellor Konrad Adenauer) but collected 871 votes while his strongest Opponent, Alfred Weber gained 12 votes. All other candidates gained exactly one vote each. Weizäckers reelection was held with absolutely no other candidate in the ring.

[edit] Honorary doctorates

The 'Ruprecht Karls University' in Prague is a redlink that doesn't seem right - there's a Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg and a Charles University in Prague (Univerzita Karlova). Could it be one (or both) of these? Colonies Chris 11:54, 4 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] He was the chair of a commission installed by the current social democratic-green government for reforming the Bundeswehr.

"He was the chair of a commission installed by the current social democratic-green government for reforming the Bundeswehr."

this government is no longer current

[edit] counting of presidents

The article declares Weizsäcker the tenth president of germany.

In Germany, the counting usually is strictly parted into the Weimar Republic and the Federal Republic. Thus, Weizsäcker is usually entitled the sixth president of the Federal Republic. This makes sense because the office was completely restructured after the war and presidency in the Federal Republic is in no means comparable to presidency in the Weimar Republic.

For the Weimar Republic, Hitler and Dönitz are, still though they were formally president, usually not referred to as presidents. Hitler is noticed as the Potentate he was while Doenitz' never had any powers over a part of Germany larger than a tenth of it's actual size nor was he ever elected to any office. When he was pointed to be president through Hitler's last will, nearly all of Germany was already occupied by the allies. Usually, Ebert and Hindenburg are named the only presidents during the WR.

It also does not correspond with the high respect of the federal presidency to name Hitler as a predecessor in office.

So may the ones who feel responsible for the articles about the federal presidents of Germany please think about re-counting from one instead of from -4.