United Kingdom, Germany, & Russia
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SS6CG5 Explain the structure of modern
European governments.
a. Compare the parliamentary system of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom), the
federal system of the Federal Republic of Germany (Germany),
and the federation of the Russian Federation (Russia),
distinguishing the form of leadership and the role of the
citizen in terms of voting and personal freedoms
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Its main roles are:
◦ Examining and challenging the work of the
government
◦ Debating and passing all laws (legislation)
◦ Enabling the government to raise taxes (controls
taxes)
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The business of Parliament takes place in two
Houses:
◦ 1. House of Commons
◦ 2. House of Lords
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Citizens elect members of the House of
Commons
The political party with the most votes
chooses the Prime Minister.
The House of Commons is responsible for
making laws for the country.
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plays an important part in revising
legislation and keeping a check on
government
The House of Lords has little power.
Most members of the House of Lords are
nobles who have inherited their titles.
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1. Prime Minister
◦ This role is the real head of government. He or she
is the leader of the Parliament and is the chief
executive of the country.
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2. Head of State (King or Queen)
◦ This role is only symbolic; the Head of State holds
very little political power. Although, the Queen is an
important symbol of national unity.
 Like
the United States, Germany is
a “federal republic”
◦ a national government and state
governments share powers.
 Technically,
it’s government is a
Federal Parliamentary
Representative Democratic
Republic…whew! (You don’t have
to write this one down!)
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1. Chancellor:
◦ This is the real head of government, similar
to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
◦ He or she is chosen by Parliament, and is the
chief executive of the country.
2. President:
Chosen by a federal convention. Germany’s
president has very little power, and mainly
carries out ceremonial duties.
Don’t copy this information. Just read it.
Former President Bush welcomes German
Chancellor Angela Merkel to the Oval Office
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She is the 1st woman and the first East German to
hold this position
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1. Bundesrat (Upper House)
◦ Mainly an advisory council, but must approve laws and
amendments
◦ Holds little political power
◦ Representatives are not elected directly by the people
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2. Bundestag (Lower House)
◦ The citizens vote for & elect members to this House.
◦ Holds most of Germany’s political power.
◦ Members elect the Chancellor.
After the fall of the Soviet Union,
Russia became a democracy.
 The citizens elect the nation’s leaders.
 Like the United States, Russia is a
“federal republic”
◦ the power is divided between
national and state governments with
a president who leads the nation
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This is the Parliament of the Russian
Federation.
It consists of two chambers:
◦ 1. The Federation Council (Upper House)
 Selected by government officials
 Power is limited
◦ 2. The State Duma (Lower House)
 Chosen by the people
 Main legislative branch
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The 1993 constitution created a dual
executive branch that consists of a Prime
Minister and a President, but the president is
the dominant figure.
President
◦ Head of state- Commander-in-Chief
◦ Chosen by the people
◦ Leader of country
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Prime Minister
◦ Chosen by President- approved by Duma