Politics of Germany Executive Germany is

Politics of Germany Executive

Germany is a federal parliamentary republic, and federal legislative power is vested in the Bundestag (the parliament of Germany) and the Bundesrat (the representative body of the Länder, Germany's regional states). The judiciary of Germany is independent of the executive and the legislature. There is a multi-party system that, since 1949, has been dominated by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).

Constitution The Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany is the constitution of Germany. It was formally approved on 8 May 1949, and, with the signature of the Allies of World War II on 12 May, came into effect on 23 May.

Executive Head of state He or she is not a member of the government. The President is elected every five years by the Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung). Most presidents have been members of the CDU as this party is usually the strongest in the Bundestag and also often in the states.

Joachim Gauck since 18 March 2012

Head of government The Bundeskanzler (federal chancellor) heads the Bundesregierung (federal government) and thus the executive branch of the federal government. He or she is elected by and responsible to the Bundestag, Germany's parliament. The Chancellor has always been the candidate of the largest party, usually supported by a coalition of two parties with a majority in the parliament.

Angela Merkel since 22 November 2005

Cabinet The German Cabinet (Bundeskabinett or Bundesregierung) is the chief executive body of the federal republic of Germany. It consists of the chancellor and the cabinet ministers. The cabinet ministers are free to carry out their duties independently within the boundaries set by the Chancellor's political directives.

to be continued…