Research papers published by the Reference and Research Services of the Deutscher Bundestag

This page sets out the English summaries of the Research Papers published by the Reference and Research Services. A link from the end of the summary will take you to the complete research paper in German.

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The European Parliament
Factsheet Europe of 03/05/2008 (2 pages)
Cuba's development prospects in the post-Fidel Castro era
Cuba is on the brink of a new era. On 24 February 2008, the Cuban Parliament elected 76-year-old Raúl Castro (Ruz) as President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers: Cuba?s new head of state. He succeeded his brother Fidel Castro (Ruz), who is five years older, and who had led the Communist state in the Caribbean without interruption since 1959, first as prime minister and then as head of state from 1976. Following Raúl Castro's election as President, expectations of fundamental reform in the country have risen both in Cuba and abroad. Observers are divided about whether he will, unlike his brother Fidel, move towards a broad opening of Cuba.
Topical Term of 03/03/2008
European Year of Intercultural Dialogue
The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union have declared the year 2008 the "European Year of Intercultural Dialogue" (EYID). The European Year aims to draw the attention of people in Europe to the importance of dialogue within diversity and between diverse cultures. The idea had initially been put forward by the European Commissioner with responsibility for culture, Ján Figel', during his hearing before the European Parliament in September 2004. With an overall budget of ¤ 10 million, the European Year will draw on the wealth and diversity of a series of specific projects to be implemented during 2008 through programmes and other Community actions. Culture, education, youth, sport and citizenship will be the main areas concerned. The Year will feature a small number of flagship projects on a European level, as well as EU support for national actions in each Member State.
Topical Term of 02/29/2008
The limits of investigative measures that can be taken by the public prosecution office and inadmissibility of improperly obtained evidence
With regard to the current investigations by a public prosecution office into suspected tax evasion by German citizens using foreign banks, it has been reported that the German authorities are apparently basing their investigation on evidence acquired by third parties who may have breached contracts or even broken the law by passing on this evidence. Against this background, the text provides a general overview of what legal yardsticks are applied, during potential court proceedings at a later date, to investigative measures taken by public prosecution offices, and the admissibility of information gained via these measures.
Topical Term of 02/28/2008
Electoral law and the electoral system
The text gives an overview of the constitutional foundations of electoral law and the system for elections to the German Bundestag. In particular, it looks at the limits placed by the constitution on the shaping of the electoral system. It then goes on to summarise the advantages of proportional and First-Past-the-Post electoral systems.
Topical Term of 02/21/2008
Amendment to the Law Concerning the Supervision of Insurance Enterprises
On 15 November 2007, the German Bundestag adopted the Ninth Law to Amend the Law Concerning the Supervision of Insurance Enterprises (VAG). It was two rulings made on 26 July 2005 by the Federal Constitutional Court in particular which made it necessary to amend the VAG. The central provision contained in the new law stipulates that every contract wholly or partially transferring portfolios from one insurance company to another requires specific authorisation from the supervisory authority. In addition, the amendment brought supervision in the insurance sector into line with international standards, in particular with regard to companies' internal risk management.
Topical Term of 02/04/2008
From the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership to the Mediterranean Union
Factsheet Europe of 01/25/2008 (2 pages)
The EU wine market reform - on the path to sustainability in the European wine sector
Factsheet Europe of 01/24/2008 (3 pages)
Criminality amongst immigrants and young people - statistics, causes and cures
At the beginning of the year, spectacular cases of criminal violence by young people of non-German origin became the focus of attention amongst the public and politicians. There is strong disagreement amongst the parties about the reaction called for from the state to prevent brutal violence. Whilst, on the one hand, some call for tougher sentences for young people, others highlight the social causes of crime and call for greater emphasis on preventative measures. An analysis of crime data in Germany shows that the burden placed on the population by young criminals of non-German origin has not increased. However, the propensity for violence and number of crimes committed is greater amongst young people of non-German origin. Comparisons between Germans and non-Germans are misleading, however, as statistics only record the citizenship of suspects, rather than their level of education, social situation or background.
Publication of 01/15/2008 (21 pages)
The constitutional position of the child
A political discussion is currently taking place on whether specific children's rights should be incorporated into the constitution. This Topical Term provides an overview of the current constitutional position of the child, including against the background of the Federal Constitutional Court's rulings. It explains in what form children?s rights could be incorporated into the Basic Law (the German constitution). In closing, it looks briefly at children's rights in the constitutions of Germany's Länder (federal states) and the Member States of the European Union.
Topical Term of 01/03/2008
From "Wise-men Committee" to "Reflection Group"
On 14 December 2007, the European Council has established an independent reflection group, "in order to help the Union anticipate and meet challenges more effectively in the longer term (horizon 2020-2030)". The former Spanish prime minister, Felipe González, was entrusted with the chairmanship of the group. Two vice-chairpersons will assist him, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, former Latvian president, and Joröa Ollila, former chairman of Nokia. Nine members altogether shall belong to the group. The decision originates in a proposal made by French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who had suggested the creation of a "wise-men committee". Yet the composition and mandate of the reflection group clearly fall short of the initial conception.
Factsheet Europe of 12/20/2007 (2 pages)
The Lisbon Treaty
In June 2007, under German EU-Presidency, the heads of state of the 27 EU members agreed upon a precise mandate for an intergovernmental conference. Based on the results of the intergovernmental conference of 2004 a reform treaty has been drafted which shall amend the Treaty on the European Union (Maastricht) and the Treaty Establishing the European Community (Rome).In this process the idea of a Constitution replacing all earlier EU treaties, having been pursued until 2005, has been abandoned. All references with regard to preamble, anthem and flag representing the symbols of the EU have been dropped as well. At the informal October-meeting in Lisbon the heads of the EU states discussed the drafted new treaty and resolved all controversial issues. As the Lisbon Treaty, the reform treaty has been signed by all heads of state in the Portuguese Capital on 13 December 2007. All 27 EU countries will be expected to ratify the Treaty by 2008 in order to put the EU on a new common foundation prior to the European elections in 2009. Hungary was the first state to ratify the treaty on 17 December 2007.
Factsheet Europe of 12/19/2007 (5 pages)

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