representational in nature, he can refuse to put
GLOBAL
his signature to legislation if he has doubts
Office for Democratic Institutions and
Human Rights, Elections of the Federal
Parliament (Bundestag) At the invitation of Germany, the Organization for
Security and Co-operation in Europe
(OSCE) observed the election of the
Bundestag on 22 September 2013. In
their report, the OSCE experts in particular address the new electoral law
which was applied for the first time in
the election, and which ensures that the distribution
of seats in the Bundestag is
more just. → osce.org
about it complying with the constitution. Previous incumbents have exerted the greatest influence through public speeches, which receive
great attention. The Federal Presidents refrain
from becoming involved in party politics, but
do tackle current issues and from time to time
urge the government, parliament, and the
population to take action. Issues that Joachim
Gauck, who refers to himself as the people’s
president, frequently addresses are human
rights questions, Germany’s responsibility for
its actions, and dangers for democracy.
The Federal Constitutional Court in
Karlsruhe: guardian of the Basic Law
The Federal Constitutional Court in Karls-
areas of jurisdiction, and can declare laws to
ruhe, which the population holds in very high
be incompatible with the Basic Law. Any citi-
esteem, exerts great influence. It is regarded
zen can appeal to the Constitutional Court if
as “the guardian of the Basic Law” and
he is of the opinion that a law violates his ba-
through its important decisions provides a
sic rights. The Federal Constitutional Court
binding interpretation of the constitutional
recently gained great importance through
text. In two panels it passes judgement on dis-
decisions relating to the assigning of Bundes-
putes between constitutional bodies about
tag rights to the European Union.
1969
1989/90
1999
Willy Brandt is the first Chancellor
not to be a member of the CDU
party. The Ostpolitik of the coalition government made up of the
SPD and FDP creates a framework
for the reconciliation of Germany
with its eastern neighbours.
In East Germany, peaceful protests lead to the regime being toppled. On 9 November the border
with the West is opened. After the
first free elections on 18 March,
East Germany accedes to the Federal Republic on 3 October 1990.
The Bundestag and the Federal
Government are relocated to Berlin. The parliamentary buildings
stand on both sides of the former
course taken by the Wall. Bonn
remains the seat of some ministries and federal authorities.