The current office-holder is Bärbel Bas (SPD), who was elected during the first session of the 20th Bundestag on 26 October 2021.

Until the election of the president, the session is chaired by the father of the House, the so-called Alterspräsident.

This constitutional convention had emerged already in times of the Weimar Republic, but this is not required by law.

The term of the president can only end prematurely if they resign the position, leaves the Bundestag or dies.

The number of vice presidents was not fixed in the Bundestag's Geschäftsordnung (rules of order) since 1949, when two were elected, representing opposition and minor party FDP.

In 1994, things changed when it was decided that each parliamentary group should be represented by at least one vice president.

Due to a 1952 Federal Constitutional Court decision, the Geschäftsordnung has to be enacted afresh in every election period, but usually the old rules are reenacted without change.

[4] In the case of grave disruption, they may exclude a member of parliament for up to 30 session days.