Germany is a democratic European state with a complex political system. Decisions in the country can be made at the federal and local levels, each of which has its own executive, judicial and legislative authorities. How are elections in Germany? We will learn more about this later.
Federal Republic of Germany
The country is located in Western Europe. It is washed by the North and B altic Seas, and is surrounded by Denmark, the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands and France. Germany is a developed country with a strong economy and a high standard of living.
It is a member of a number of global organizations such as the European Union, NATO, the G8. The country is home to 82 million people. The official language is German. The largest cities are Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Bremen, Dusseldorf.
The capital of the state is Berlin, but many federal departments and ministries are located in Bonn. Germany is a democratic, legal, social state, the form of government of which is defined asparliamentary republic.
The election system in Germany for parliament, cabinet, chancellor and president is different. Parliament is the only body elected by direct popular vote. Other bodies and positions are elected by authorized persons.
Germany: presidential election
The President is the head of state. The position first arose in 1949. In February 2017, Frank-W alter Steinmeier was elected to the position. His official residences are in Berlin and Bonn. Presidential elections in Germany are held every five years with the possibility of one re-election. One person can only hold this post twice.
The functions of the head include representing the country on the world stage, announcing and signing laws, approving federal employees, officers and judges, and nominating a candidate for chancellor.
To hold elections in Germany, a special body is formed - the Federal Assembly. It consists of an equal number of MPs and delegates from regional parliaments. The candidate with the most votes is elected to the presidency. The decision comes into force after taking the oath.
Chancellor elections
The government of the country represents the central executive power. Its head is the Federal Chancellor. The main responsibilities for governing the state are assigned to his shoulders, which is why the form of government of the country is often called chancellor.democracy. He decides on the path Germany should take.
The election of the chancellor is carried out by the Bundestag (federal parliament). His mandate lasts 4 years. They can be terminated ahead of time after a constructive vote of no confidence, that is, in the case when the majority of members of parliament recognize their disagreement with the policy of the chancellor.
The head of government can form the cabinet of ministers, determine the number of its seats and the scope of the ministers. He first submits proposals for their dismissal or appointment to the president. Angela Merkel has been Chancellor since 2005.
Bundestag
The highest unicameral legislature is the Bundestag or the federal parliament. Parliamentary elections in Germany take place every four years. He controls the activities of the government, draws up and passes laws, and elects the chancellor. The parliamentary bodies include the Presidium (chairman and his deputies), the Council of Elders, committees, factions, administration and police of the Bundestag.
Elections in Germany are held according to a mixed system. Half of the deputies are elected by direct secret ballot, the other part goes through lists from each land. Both of these steps are related to each other. The first vote adjusts the composition of factions, the second determines the party power structure.
Parties with 5 or more percent of votes or winning in three single-mandate constituencies can represent parliament. The total number of seats is 631. The seats for each party that has passed are calculated using the Sainte-Lague method, according to the number of votes they received in the election.
Bundesrat
The country's federal status suggests that important decisions are made at two levels: national (federal) and regional. The territory of Germany is divided into 16 states. At the same time, Hamburg, Berlin and Bremen are city-states. Each of them has its own parliament, executive and judiciary.
The interests of the regions in the central parliament are represented by the Bundesrat. Sometimes it is called the upper house, although formally it is considered that there is only one chamber in parliament. The Bundesrat is the legislative body that has the power to propose and challenge most laws.
This is not an elected body, without a term of office. Currently it is represented by 69 people. From the government of each land, from 3 to 6 people are sent to it, depending on its size. The only elective position in the Bundesrat is the post of its chairman. The members of this body elect it for a year.
Landtag and local elections
The parliament of each individual land is called the Landtag. It represents the main legislative body at the regional level. All decisions are made at a closed plenum, which is held with the participation of factions and deputies.
Lands are divided into cities, rural communities and communes in which there are self-government bodies. Local elections in Germany are held onanalogies with public ones. Voters vote for the composition of the county, village and city councils, which are also called "local parliaments".
