The Reichstag Building © German Bundestag/ SMNeumann

The German Bundestag is elected by the German people and is the forum where differing opinions about the policies the country should be pursuing are formulated and discussed.

The most important tasks performed by the Bundestag are the legislative process and the parliamentary scrutiny of the government and its work.

The Members of the German Bundestag also decide on the federal budget and deployments of the Bundeswehr (Federal Armed Forces) outside Germany.

Another important function performed by the Bundestag is the election of the German Federal Chancellor.

The legislative process

In Germany, the legislative process is a task for the country’s parliaments. The Bundestag is therefore the most important organ of the legislative branch in the German Federation. Since, under Germany’s federal system, the Länder hold a considerable share of the powers of the state, the Bundesrat, the organ through which the Länder participate in the legislation and administration of the Federation, is also involved in the legislative process.

Principle of the division of powers

The division of powers is one of the principles of Germany’s democracy and is anchored in the Basic Law. The powers of the state are divided between several branches, the legislative, the executive and the judiciary, which are supposed to monitor one another and limit the power of the state.

In line with the principle of the division of powers, the Bundestag is the highest organ of the legislative in Germany. Alongside it stand the Federal Government, representing the executive, and the federal and Land courts, representing the judiciary.