incumbent
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incumbent
The person who currently holds a specific public office or official position.
Bei der kommenden Wahl tritt der Amtsinhaber gegen zwei neue Kandidaten an.
In the upcoming election, the incumbent is running against two new candidates.
This word is composed of three parts: 'das Amt' (office/position), the linking 's', and 'der Inhaber' (owner, holder). So an 'Amtsinhaber' (incumbent) is literally a person who 'holds' an office.
Der Inhaber dieses Geschäfts ist sehr freundlich.
The owner of this shop is very friendly.
'Amtsinhaber' (incumbent) is a formal word used mainly in politics, in the news, and in official documents. You would rarely use it in everyday speech.
Die Zeitung interviewte den aktuellen Amtsinhaber zu seinen Plänen.
The newspaper interviewed the current incumbent about his plans.
The word is often used in the context of elections. Typical phrases are 'gegen den Amtsinhaber antreten' (to run against the incumbent), 'der amtierende Amtsinhaber' (the current incumbent), or 'der ehemalige Amtsinhaber' (the former incumbent).
Die neue Kandidatin will den langjährigen Amtsinhaber herausfordern.
The new candidate wants to challenge the longtime incumbent.
officeholder
Both words can refer to a person holding a public or official office. Amtsinhaber emphasizes who currently holds this specific office, while Amtsträger focuses more on the official function and the duties or powers associated with it. Use Amtsinhaber for the current holder of an office and Amtsträger for the function.
Der Amtsinhaber stellte sich bei der Wahl seinen Herausforderern.
The incumbent faced his challengers in the election.
Der Amtsträger darf im Rahmen seiner Funktion bestimmte Entscheidungen treffen.
The officeholder is allowed to make certain decisions within the scope of their function.
