Joachim Gauck elected Federal President

The 15th Federal Convention, meeting in the Reichstag Building in Berlin on Sunday, 18 March 2012, elected Joachim Gauck as the 11th President of the Federal Republic of Germany. Gauck, a Protestant theologian and former Federal Commissioner for the Files of the State Security Service of the former GDR, received 991 of the 1232 votes cast in the first ballot. He had been nominated jointly by the CDU/CSU, the FDP, the SPD and Alliance 90/The Greens. Gauck accepted his election and is now officially the head of state.

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Functions of the Bundestag

In addition to the election of the Federal Chancellor, the Bundestag’s most important functions are preparing and adopting legislation and scrutinising the work of the government. Each year, the Members of the Bundestag also discuss and adopt the federal budget.

The Bundestag eagle in the plenary chamber

Plenary and committees

In plenary sittings, Parliament deliberates and votes on laws and motions which fall within the competence of the Federation. The Bundestag currently has 22 permanent committees. In addition, it can take the decision to establish committees of inquiry or special committees.

Scrutiny of the Government

In exercising oversight over the Federal Government, Members have the right to request detailed information from it via written and oral questions. But special bodies such as committees of inquiry also serve to ensure scrutiny of the government.

Eagle of the federal government under a magnifying glass

Election for four years

The Bundestag is elected for four years. The CDU/CSU is the largest parliamentary group with 239 seats, followed by the SPD with 146 Members, the FDP with 93 Members, the Left Party (76 Members) and the Alliance 90/The Greens parliamentary group (68 Members).

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Postal address

German Bundestag
Platz der Republik 1

11011 Berlin
Germany

Tel.: +49 30 227-0
Fax: +49 30 227-36878
Fax: +49 30 227-36979

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Joachim Gauck elected Federal President

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