Bundesrat - Home
Cooperation in Practice. The German-Polish Friendship Groups of the Bundesrat and the Polish Senate came together on May 16th and 17th 2024 for the third meeting since their founding in 2022. The agenda included discussions on cross-border issues, such as the challenges of language teaching and promoting agriculture and science.
Bundesrat - Responsibilities
In its committees the Bundesrat assesses bills from every possible standpoint, i.e. in terms of constitutionality, technical expertise, finances and political factors. Quite often, amendments, additions or alternatives are proposed. In many cases the result of the review is "no objection".
Bundesrat - A constitutional body within a federal system
The Bundesrat has three central functions within this system, which provides for division of power and combined fulfilment of the tasks incumbent on the state: It defends the interests of the Länder vis-à-vis the Federation and, indirectly, vis-à-vis the European Union.
Bundesrat - Startseite
Mit 89 Punkten erwartet den Bundesrat in der ersten Sitzung nach der parlamentarischen Sommerpause eine umfangreiche Tagesordnung. Dabei stehen zehn Gesetze aus dem Bundestag zur Abstimmung.... Mehr ...
Bundesrat - Roles and functions
Bundesrat Roles and functions. Article 50 of the Basic Law describes the key aspects of the Bundesrat ’s role: "The Länder shall participate through the Bundesrat in the legislation and administration of the Federation and in matters concerning the European Union."
Bundesrat - Distribution of votes
The Bundesrat has a total of 69 votes and consequently has 69 full members, for each federal state can appoint as many full members to the Bundesrat as the number of votes that state holds (Article 51, Sub-section 3, Basic Law).
Bundesrat - Zusammensetzung
Der Bundesrat ist ein Parlament der Länderregierungen. Nur wer in einer Landesregierung Sitz und Stimme hat, kann Mitglied des Bundesrates sein. Die Opposition in den einzelnen Ländern hat keine Möglichkeit, sich im Bundesrat unmittelbar Gehör zu verschaffen.
Bundesrat - Members
All Bundesrat members have twofold roles. They hold an office in their federal state, whilst simultaneously holding a federal office, i.e. they play a political role both in their federal state and at the level of national politics. This means that Bundesrat members assume comprehensive political
Bundesrat - Bundesrat President
The President and Presidium. © Bundesrat | Janine Schmitz. Every year on 1st November a new Bundesrat President takes office. At the same time, the Bundesrat, the chamber representing the federal states, appoints a new Presidium from the ranks of the 16 Minister-Presidents.
Bundesrat - Startseite - Composition of the Bundesrat
The Bundesrat is a "parliament of the federal states’ governments". It is only possible to become a member of the Bundesrat if you have a seat and a vote in one of the federal state governments (Article 51, Sub-section 1, Basic Law).