The hea of government of Germany is called Chancellor (German: Kanzler). In German politics the position is equivalent to that of a Prime Minister in other countries. The latter term is not used, since its direct German equivalent, Ministerpräsident, is used exclusively for the heads of government of the states of Germany (called Länder in German). From 1871 to 1945 the full term was Reich Chancellor (Reichskanzler). The term Federal Chancellor (Bundeskanzler) is current.