Constitutional Organs Defined by the Basic Law
The Basic Law defines the rights and duties of five state organs. The constitutional organs are the Bundestag, the Bundesrat, the Federal President, the Federal Government and the Federal Constitutional Court.
Bundestag
As Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag stands at the center of the country’s political life and is its supreme democratic organ of state. The legislative process is one of the most important tasks performed by the German Bundestag. Some acts require the consent of the Bundesrat. The Bundestag also elects the Federal Chancellor.
Bundestag
Bundesrat
The Bundesrat represents the federal states, and alongside the Bundestag is a form of Second Chamber. It is obliged to deliberate on each federal law. It's 69 members are delegates of the 16 state governments. The vote each state has depends on the size of its respective population. If one considers that the activities of the of the Bundesrat are spread across the shoulders of the 16 state governments, it becomes clear that the federal states governments are important players in the nationwide political arena.
Bundesrat
Federal President
As Germany's head of state, the Federal President represents the country at home and abroad. He serves as a figure of integration and as a guardian of the law and the constitution, among many other roles.
Federal President
Federal Government
The Federal Government and Federal Cabinet are comprised of the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Ministers. The cabinet abides by the collegial principle; in disputes the Federal Government decides by majority. The affairs of state are managed by the Chancellor.
Federal Government
Federal Constitutional Court
The Federal Constitutional Court, based in Karlsruhe, has the right to repeal legislation passed as part of the legitimate democratic process should it come to the conclusion that such legislation contravenes the Basic Law. In "constitution-related" disputes, the Constitutional Court acts to protect the division of powers guaranteed in the Basic Law and the federal state.
Federal Constitutional Court
