文档介绍：Germany: Institutions
I. The Basic Law
II. Legislature
A. Bundestag and Bundesrat
III. Executive
A. Chancellor, and President
IV. Länder Governments
V. Judiciary
Reichstag Building
Berlin
The ‘Basic Law’(Grundgesetz)
Basic Rights and Civil Liberties
{ Constitutional Court & Judicial Review
Federalism
{ Länder and division of powers
Governmental Stability
{ Constructive Vote of No Confidence
{ Five Percent Rule
Executive Authority
Institutions of the Federal Republic
I. Legislature
A. Bundestag (Federal Diet)
{ Elected every four years
{ 614 members currently The Bundestag
Chamber
{ Two-Ballot system (with 5% hurdle)
{ Coalition governments
B. Bundesrat (Federal Council)
{ Based on state (Land) representation
{ Appointed by state governments
{ 69 members based on population
Legislation must go through both chambers,
but Bundestag superior
Germany’s
Two-Ballot
Elections
Procedures in the Bundestag
Two main functions:
{ Elect the Chancellor/provide government
{ Pass legislation
Level of independence between US and UK
{ Coalitions
{ Organization
{ Legislation
Legislative Process
{ Preparliamentary Stage
{ First Parliamentary Stage (Bundesrat)
{ Second Parliamentary Stage (Bundestag)
Executive -- Chancellor
Leader of the majority in Bundestag
Directs government policy
Primary power is control over , however:
{ Need to Satisfy Party Factions
{ (“Grand”) Coalitions
{ No direct control over
ministries or Länder
“Chancellor Democracy”
Merkel takes over;
Schröder looks on
Executive -- President
Every five years by a Federal Assembly
of all Bundestag and state legislators
Powers largely ceremonial
Role of President:
{ Represent the “conscience” of the nation
{ Mediator during parliamentary divisions and crises
German President
Horst Köhler
The Länder
Government
‘Reserved Powers’--
education, police, justice, etc
(55%