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Germany - Government ProfileOverview of the Country’s Political Framework and Structure - 2008
Germany, a unified country since 1990, has developed a federal parliamentary representative democracy, with executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.
Germany's political system operates under a framework initially created in the West German Constitution of 1949. As the basis for re-unification in 1990, five newly-created East German states joined the Federal Republic (West) in accordance with Article 23 of the West German Constitution. The alternative would have been a formal union between the two countries, which would have required the creation of a new constitution. Political SystemThe Federal Republic of Germany is considered a federal parliamentary representative democratic republic, with the seat of government centered in the capital city, Berlin. The country became a unified as the German Empire in 1871. Following World War II, Germany was split into the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG - West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (GDR - East Germany). The two German nations were re-united on October 3, 1990. The national holiday is Unity Day, celebrated on October 3. Germany's current constitution, the Basic Law or Grundgesetz, originally came into effect on May 23, 1949. After re-unification, the Basic Law remains in force, with several minor amendments. The document allows for universal suffrage at 18 years of age. Administrative RegionsThe Federal Republic of Germany consists of 16 states (Laender):
Executive BranchThe President is Germany's chief of state, serves a five year term and is eligible for a second term. This person is elected by a Federal Convention, including all members of the Federal Assembly and an equal number of delegates from the state parliaments. Horst Koehler, the current President, assumed his duties on July 1, 2004. The head of government is the Chancellor, elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Assembly to a four year term. Angela Merkel, the current Prime Minister, began her official duties on November 22, 2005. All members of the Cabinet (Bundesminister) are appointed by the President following the Chancellor's recommendation. The current Federal Ministers are:
Legislative BranchThe German Parliament is a bicameral body consisting of the 614-seat Federal Assembly (Bundestag) and the 69-seat Federal Council (Bundesrat). Members of the Federal Assembly serve four year terms and are elected by popular vote through a combination of direct and proportional representation. Political parties must receive at least 5% of the national vote or three direct mandates to gain proportional representation and caucus recognition. The composition of the Federal Council is determined by the composition of the state-level government, and can change whenever a state holds an election. The current structure of the Federal Assembly, by political party is (number of seats):
Judicial BranchThe country’s judicial branch consists of the Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht). Half the judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat. Legal SystemThe German legal system is based on civil law with indigenous concepts. The country has not accepted compulsory International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction. References Barrientos, Miguel. Index Mundi. 2007. German Bundestag Official Website. ReigierungOnline - Federal Government Official Website.
The copyright of the article Germany - Government Profile in Germany is owned by Mark Resnicoff. Permission to republish Germany - Government Profile in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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