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 organ through which Germany’s 16 constituent states – the Länder – participate in the legislation and administration of the Federation. The Bundestag also elects the Federal Chancellor. Since 1999, the Bundestag has had its seat at the Reichstag Building in Berlin. (bundestag.de)
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. Each state can only vote unanimously. 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. (Source: Facts about Germany)
Federal President
The Federal President is Germany's head of state. He is the constitutional organ which represents the Federal Republic of Germany both at home and abroad. He does so by making the state - its existence, legitimacy, legality and unity - perceptible in all he does and in every public appearance. This highlights his role as a figure of integration and his monitoring function in his capacity as guardian of the law and the constitution. Horst Köhler has served as Federal President since being elected by the Federal Convention in 2004. (Source: bundespraesident.de)
Federal Government
The Federal Government and cabinet is made up of the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Ministers. While the Chancellor holds the power to issue directives, the ministers have departmental powers, meaning that they independently run their respective ministries in the framework of those directives. Moreover, the cabinet abides by the collegial principle; in disputes the Federal Government decides by majority. The affairs of state are managed by the Chancellor. (Source: Facts about Germany)
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. Furthermore, the Basic Law empowers individual citizens to launch a "constitutional complaint" should they feel that the state has infringed their basic rights. (Source: Facts about Germany)
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