United Kingdom, Germany, & Russia
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Parliament is an essential part of UK politics.
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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

The business of Parliament takes place in two
Houses:
◦ 1. House of Commons (citizens elect members)
◦ 2. House of Lords (nobles who have inherited their
power)
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The political party in the House of Commons
with the most votes chooses the Prime
Minister.
The House of Commons is responsible for
making laws for the country.
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The House of Lords is the second Chamber
of the United Kingdom’s Parliament.
The House of Lords has little power.
It plays an important part in revising
legislation and keeping a check on
government by scrutinizing its activities.
Most members of the House of Lords are
nobles who have inherited their titles.

1. Prime Minister
◦ This role is the real Head of Government. He or she
has the most power and is the leader of the
Parliament. Also the PM is the chief executive of
the country.

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.

It is the role of the citizens in the UK to vote
& elect Parliament members (House of
Commons).
 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!

1. Bundestag (Lower House)
◦ Citizens elects its members.
◦ Has most power.
◦ Members elect the Chancellor.

2. Bundesrat (Upper House)
◦ Mainly an advisory council, but must approve laws
and amendments
◦ Holds little political power
◦ Representatives are members of the German state
governments and are not elected directly by the
people
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1. Chancellor:
◦ Has real power and 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:
Head of state - has very little power, and
mainly carries out ceremonial duties.
President Obama welcomes German
Chancellor Angela Merkel
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She is the 1st woman (and the first East German) to
hold this position

Vote and elect members of Parliament
(Bundestag)
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After the fall of the Soviet Union,
Russia became a democracy.
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

It consists of two chambers:
◦ 1. The Federation Council- has little power.
◦ 2. The State Duma- has most power. Members are
elected by the people They make laws and approve
the president’s choice for Prime Minister,

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President has real power – Head of
Government. He or she can issue orders that
become laws even if they are not passed by
the legislature! Has more power than U.S.
President.
Prime Minister is appointed by the President.
Does not have real power.
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Russia has seen many changes since the
break up of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Russians have to learn how to function in a
democracy instead of under communism
where most decisions were made for them
by the government.
 In the past, the Russian government punished
those individuals who criticized their decisions.
Now, officials have to learn to accept
disagreements over government policies.