Foreword
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, as is laid down in Article 45b of the Basic Law, or constitution, of the Federal Republic of Germany, is appointed by the German Bundestag to safeguard basic rights and assist the Bundestag in exercising parliamentary control over the Armed Forces. He is elected by the Members of the German Bundestag by secret ballot. The quorum required is a majority of the Members of Parliament, which is known as the chancellor majority.
Both these factors - the constitutional basis and the need for election by a broad majority - give the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, who, for constitutional reasons, does not have executive powers, special political legitimacy and authority.
Germany’s new security policy situation, the increased participation of the Bundeswehr, or Federal Armed Forces, in operations abroad and the forthcoming reform of the armed forces are bound to affect the internal structure of the Bundeswehr and its service personnel. The Parliamentary Commissioner is not directly involved in fundamental policy decisions taken by Parliament and the Government. However, he has to ensure respect for the basic rights of service personnel and the principles of Innere Führung, or leadership and civic education, in a changing Bundeswehr.
In the next few years I shall seek to ensure that, despite all the changes now needed in the armed forces, the rights of service personnel, the concept of soldiers as citizens in uniform and the principles of Innere Führung will remain decisive criteria governing all action taken.
This brochure presents the office, functions and fields of activity of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces and provides an overview of this important institution exercising parliamentary control. It is addressed both to Bundeswehr personnel and to all interested citizens.
Dr. Willfried Penner
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces
Print version