Paramount Leader

Paramount Leader (English " paramount leader" ) is a fixed expression, especially in the Anglo-American political science and in English-language media, for which there is no direct German translation.

Frequently associated with Stalinist states (or those with a Stalinist heritage ) used refers to the Paramount Leader of the actual leaders. This holds not necessarily official government offices, such as that of the president or prime minister, but is usually Chairman or General Secretary of the Communist Party.

Mainly found the term Paramount Leader in conjunction with the People's Republic of China and its political system use. Beyond all official offices called the Paramount Leader of the actual leaders of the People's Republic of China. Historical examples include Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.

Since the beginning of change under Deng Xiaoping and his successors the Paramount Leader is institutionally clearly defined. The political system of the People's Republic of China is based on three pillars: 1 of the Communist Party of the People's Republic of China, 2 state institutions of the People's Republic of China and 3 of the People's Liberation Army.

The Paramount Leader is characterized in that it occupies as first General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, second chairman of the Central Military Commission of the leading offices of these three columns. In addition, the chair comes in various party committees, usually in the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Taiwan affairs. In these committees, the actual decision-making takes place, not in the relevant ministries. For example, the Department of Defense in China has little expertise, and all military-political decisions are made by the Central Military Commission.

Current Paramount Leader Xi Jinping (since 2013), the successor to Hu Jintao. The transfer of power to a successor has now been applied usually over long periods of time and includes several months or even years. It is terminated by the transfer of the Presidency of the Central Military Commission. This office will only be passed if the successor is proving to be reliable and suitable. In this way, the predecessor ensuring policy continuity and their own interests.

Hu Jintao (2003-2013 President ) was never called in official and semi-official media of the People's Republic of China as the Paramount Leader. Another sign to let go of the past, the decision in March 2006 not to use the portrait of Mao Zedong on future yuan banknotes.