Politics, State, History

Building of the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin, © picture-alliance/KPA/Haddenhorst

Foreign Policy

The primary goal of German foreign policy is to preserve peace and security in the world. The expanded concept of security covers not only questions of conflict prevention, defense, disarmament and arms controls, but also economic, ecological, social and human rights issues.

German and US flags, (c) picture alliance/ZB

German-US Relations

The transatlantic partnership is a basic axiom in German foreign policy. It is no longer merely a matter of security issues, the whole spectrum of global challenges is now the subject of German-US cooperation.

Flag of the European Union, (c) picture-alliance/Sven Simon

European Union

The European Union is the biggest political success story of the past 50 years. Peace and prosperity, freedom and security are achievements cherished by all EU citizens. Germany is one of its founding members and plays an active role in shaping today's enlarged European Union.

Holocaust Memmorial, Berlin, (c) picture-alliance/Paul Mayall

Historic Responsibility

The key parameters of German politics can be described by the twin lodestars of “never again” and “never alone“. Our 'Historic Responsibilty' section offers you more information on the meaning of these terms.

A voter submits a ballot.

Political System

The Federal Republic of Germany is a democratic, federal and social constitutional state. Together with the basic rights, these principles form the inviolable core of the constitution, adherence to which is guarded over by the Federal Constitutional Court.