Political system
Germany
Contents
1. German Political System Basics (Art.20 GG)
- Democracy
- Social
- Federalism
2. Voting for the German Parliament
3. Constitutional Main Principles
- Federal State Principle
- Democratic Principle
- Principle of Legal Certainity
- Social State Principle
4. Division of Powers
1.German Political System
Basics (Art. 20 GG)
BRD= Federal Republic of Germany
The political system of Germany is based on the constitution, which is
called “Grundgesetz” (GG). It regulates the political processes of
decisions and their content.
Germany has a democratic constitution since 1949.
The basic topics of the Germany constitution are :
Germany is a democratic, social and federal state (Art. 20 GG).
Federal Republic of Germany means:
• 16 different federal states = Germany
• in some sectors, the federal states can make
their own political decision (like school politics
and some finances – but not in foreign affairs),
• the Lower House of German Parliament is called
“Bundestag”,
• the upper house of the German parliament is
called “Bundesrat” (it represents the federal
states).
Democracy
Reprensentative democracy
Personal and proportional representation
Vote for the Lower House of German Parliament:
every four years
Every German over the age of 18 has two voices:
First voice=direct ballot (direct representative)
Second voice=Political Party
Social
Services provided for the public are e.g. water
and energy
Solidarity
 Principle of Subsidiarity
 Public Welfare based on Art. 1 GG
(protection of human dignity)
Federalism
Confederation of 16 federal states
 they are represented in the „Bundesrat“, one of
the constitutional organs
2. Voting for the German Paliament
Prinziples of the voting system are (Art. 38 GG):
general,
direct,
free,
equal,
secret
ballot.
Federal Government
Federal
minister
Federal
Chancellor
nominate
vote
suggest minister
Federal
President
vote
Federal
Convention
Federal Constitutional Court
nominate
suggest chancellor
establish
vote
judges
vote
judges
Bundestag
Federal Council
establish
State Parliament
vote
establish
Land government
vote
Citizen vote by free, equal, direct and secret ballot
3. Constitutional Principles of the BRD
Constitutional Principles
Federal
State
Principle
Democratic
Principle
Principle of
Legal
Certainity
Social
State
Principle
4. Division of Powers
Legislative
(law making
power)
Executive
(public
authority)
Judiciary
(prevailing
case law;
GG)