Three verbs help put the picture in context.
Proposing, electing and appointing are different acts. The President participates in forming the government but does not thereby conduct its day-to-day business.
The question identifies Gustav Heinemann, Helmut Schmidt and the year 1974. Answering does not require guessing faces: the President’s constitutional role is what matters.
The other three answers
The other answers attribute government or parliamentary-scrutiny functions to the President.
He/She conducts government business.
The federal government conducts government business under the Chancellor’s leadership. That is not the head of state’s function.
He/She controls the governing party.
Parliament scrutinises the government; controlling a governing party is not the presidential task sought here.
He/She selects the ministers.
The Chancellor proposes federal ministers. The President appoints them on that proposal rather than independently choosing them politically.
The initial nomination is not the whole procedure.
Article 63 provides further election stages if the proposed candidate is not elected. The short exam answer describes the President’s initial role.
The original photograph and the two editorial illustrations serve different purposes. The photograph belongs to the existing exam question; the illustrations show only fictional contemporary learning and architectural scenes.
Article 63 · Basic Law ↗President: propose and appoint. Bundestag: elect.
The appointment certificate in the picture does not replace a parliamentary election.
Three words for this question
- vorschlagento propose
- To nominate a person for a subsequent election.
- die Ernennungsurkundecertificate of appointment
- The document formally installing someone in office.
- die Regierungsgeschäftegovernment business
- The government’s ongoing work.