Hitler ran for the Reichspresidency in 1932. His opponents were the incumbent Reichspresident, Paul von Hindenburg, the hero of Tannenberg, of the Weimar Coalition; Ernst Thälmann, of the Communist party; Theodor Duesterberg, Stahlhelm (Steel Helmets) and Gustav Winter Inflationsgeschädigte (Victims of the Inflation).

In order to win the presidency in the first round, a candidate was required to achieve more than 50% of the vote.

The vote was held on 13 March 1932 and Hindenburg narrowly missed the threshold, achieving 49.6%. The other candidates' results were:

Adolf Hitler: 30.2%

Ernst Thälmann: 13.2%

Theodor Duesterberg: 6.8%

Gustav Winter: 0.3%

A second round of voting was required and this time only Paul von Hindenburg, Adolf Hitler, Ernst Thälmann took part. For the second round, only simple majority was required.

The second vote, held on 10 April, 1932, was won easily by Hindenburg, who achieved 53.1%, with Adolf Hitler trailing in second place with 36.7% and Ernst Thälmann in third, with 10.1%

Hindenburg died in office on 2 August 1934, and Hitler united the titles of Reichschancellor and Reichspresident on 19 August 1934. He then dispensed with the title and adopted instead the title of Führer und Reichskanzler (Leader and Reichschancellor).