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Electoral Systems

Germany Germany

ES001

Head of State
Question:How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s): e. Elected by electoral college or committee
Comments: The Federal President is elected by the Federal Convention. The Federal Convention consists of the members of the House of Representatives (Bundestag) and an equal number of members elected by the parliaments of the States (Länder) according to the principles of proportional representation
Source: Constitution, Art. 54 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.pdf
Verified: 2025/03/06
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES002

Head of Government
Question:How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer: c. Indirectly elected by legislature/chosen by parliament
Comments: The Head of Government (Federal Chancellor) is elected by the House of Representatives (Bundestag) upon the proposal of the President. The person obtaining the votes of the majority of the members of the House of Representatives (Bundestag) is elected. The person elected is appointed by the President.
Source: Constitution, Art. 63 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.pdf
Verified: 2025/03/06
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES003

President
Question:Does the country have a president?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 54 - 61 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.pdf
Verified: 2025/03/06
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES004

Number of Chambers
Question:The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer: b. Two chambers
Comments: The legislature is divided into two chambers: the Bundestag and the Bundesrat.
Source: Constitution, Chapter III (The Bundestag) and IV (The Bundesrat) https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.pdf
Verified: 2025/03/06
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES005

Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question:What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s): h. Mixed Member Proportional
Comments: The German Bundestag shall, subject to variations resulting from this Law, consist of 598 members. They shall be elected in a general, direct, free, equal and secret ballot by the Germans eligible to vote, in accordance with the principles of proportional representation combined with uninominal voting.
Source: Federal Elections Act, Section 1 https://www.bundeswahlleiter.de/en/dam/jcr/4ff317c1-041f-4ba7-bbbf-1e5dc45097b3/bundeswahlgesetz_engl.pdf Constitution, Art 38 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.pdf
Verified: 2025/03/06
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
The data on this page is continuously updated. Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.