Staatssekretär#

State Secretary (German: Staatssekretaer), is appointed in the same way as the Federal Minister whom s/he supports; the number of state secretaries may vary, they are bound by the instructions of the respective ministers. Formally they do not form part of the federal government, but do attend the sessions of the Council of Ministers in an advisory capacity. In coalitions they are entrusted with monitoring the coalition partner(s).