THE LAW MAKING

PROCESS OF
GERMANY

REPORTER:
JEWEL JENOCTAN
GERALDINE CARMELOTES
 Legislative Initiative
- First comes the Bill

Draft bills may be introduced to the German Bundestag by the

Federal Government, the Bundesrat or members of the Bundestag. In
the latter case, the motion must be supported by five per cent of all
Bundestag members or by a parliamentary group. In the other two
aforementioned scenarios, the body in question – the Federal Cabinet or
the Bundesrat – must adopt a resolution on introducing the legislation.
An absolute majority is required in the Bundesrat to adopt a resolution
on introducing legislation, which may be proposed as a motion by one or
more federal states.
Initiatives introduced by the Federal Government or the
Bundesrat
Bundesrat legislative initiatives are forwarded to the Bundestag by the Federal
Government. The Federal Government may submit its opinion within six weeks –
or within a deadline of three or nine weeks in certain specific cases.

In the case of draft bills from the Federal Government, the Bundesrat is
entitled to comment on the draft even before the German Bundestag comments.
The Bundesrat may submit an opinion on the draft government bill within six
weeks – or within a deadline of three or nine weeks in certain specific cases.
Initiatives introduced from the floor of the Bundestag

Draft laws may also be initiated by Members of the German

Bundestag, in which case they must be supported by either at least
one of the parliamentary groups or at least five percent – at present 31
– of the Members of the German Bundestag.

Bills introduced in this way do not have to be submitted first to the

Bundesrat. This is why the government sometimes arranges for
particularly urgent bills to be introduced by its parliamentary groups in
the Bundestag.
 Three readings in the plenary
During the first reading, a debate is only held if this has been agreed in the Council of
Elders or demanded by one of the parliamentary groups. For the most part, this happens
when legislative projects are particularly controversial or of special interest to the public.

The primary goal of the first reading is to designate one or several committees that are to
consider the bill and prepare it for its second reading. This is done on the basis of the
recommendations made by the Council of Elders.

If several committees are designated, one committee is then given overall responsibility
for the deliberations on the item. It is therefore responsible for the bill’s passage through
Parliament. The other committees are asked for their opinions on the bill.
Consent of the Bundesrat

Once a bill has gained the necessary majority in the plenary of the Bundestag,
it is transmitted to the Bundesrat as an act. It is through the Bundesrat that the
Länder are involved in the shaping of every piece of legislation. In this respect,
the Bundesrat’s rights to participate in the legislative process are precisely
defined.
 Mediation Procedure

The Bundesrat may not make amendments to an act adopted by the

Bundestag. However, if it does not give its consent to an act, it may
demand that the Mediation Committee be convened. The Mediation
Committee consists of an equal number of Members of the German
Bundestag and members of the Bundesrat.
Entry into force
The parliamentary legislative procedure draws to a successful conclusion
if the Bundesrat has consented to a bill or has refrained from submitting an
objection, or if a Bundesrat objection has been overturned by the Bundestag.

The bill must subsequently be counter-signed by the relevant minister

and the Federal Chancellor, duly authorized by the Federal President and
promulgated in the Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette).
 ECONOMIC POLICIES

• THE MORGENTHAU PLAN 1944 (JCS 1067)

• THE MARSHALL PLAN 1948 ( JCS 1779)
• THE FATHER OF THE
WIRTSCHAFTSWUNDER
• THE ECONOMIC MIRACLE (1950s)
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES