CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS IN THE
GERMAN-SPEAKING COUNTRIES- IRE214
Fall 2018 Session 2: Germany
Maya Hadar
 Germany’s Federal System
 Germany’s Political System
 German Economy
 German Foreign Policy
Germany: Introduction
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55000
110000
165000
220000
275000
Britain France Germany
area (square miles) population (in thousand)
3
Area/Population
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Germany’s Federal System
 Federal government (Bund)
 16 states (Länder)
 Bavaria > Bremen
 Richest:
 North Rhine-Westphalia
 Bavaria
 Badden-Wurrtemberg
 Poorest:
 Bremen
 Saarland
 Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
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Germany’s Federal System
 Most Populated:
 Nortdrhein-Westfalen (NRW)
 Bavaria
 Baden Würrtemberg
 Least Populated:
 Bremen
 Saarland
 Mecklenburg-Western
Pomerania
(Vorpommern)/Hamburg
Germany’s Federal System
 Federalism => division of power =>
territorial
 In Germany the power is shared between the
central government and the governments of
the 16 states (Länder);
 10 states in the West
 6 states in the East
 Other federal systems => United States
(Switzerland: cantons)
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 Many differences between the
Länder (historical traditions, social
structure, dialect, economy)
 State jurisdiction => education,
culture, law enforcement, regional
planning (More governmental
overlap than in the U.S)
 * Federal
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Fiscal and Political Decentralization
Germany’s Federal System
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 Central institutes of the Federal
government:
 Bundestag (lower house)
 Bundesrat (upper house)
 Chancellor => chief executive + head
of state
 President => ceremonial role, mostly
 Germany’s constitution: Basic Law =>
Germany is a welfare state
(unemployment, sick, poor, disabled:
state benefits)
Germany’s Parliamentary System
Bundestag (Parliament: Lower House)
 Basic Law, 1949 => all and only major
parties are represented in the Bundestag
 Proportional representation
 Traditionally done in continental Europe
 Avoid fragmentation in the party system
(Weimar Republic)
 Avoid the rise of extremists small parties
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 Legislative branch
 598 base seats
 Directly elected by citizens every 4
years
 Members of this house elect the
Chancellor
 Parliamentary Democracy: leader is
elected through the legislature, not
directly by the people
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Bundestag (Parliament: Lower House)
 Hybrid electoral rules =>
 Candidate in their constituency (local)
 Similar to American’s congressional
representative in the district- single
member district
 Candidate with plurality of votes
wins
 299 constituencies in Germany (half
the Bundestag)
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Bundestag (Parliament: Lower House)
 Hybrid electoral rules =>
 Political Party (seats)
 Select a party at the federal level
 All votes are aggregated nationwide
 Parties put together lists of candidates
 Results determine which candidates
make it to the remaining 299 seats
(party representatives)
 Parties need at least 5% of the votes
in a state to qualify for a seat
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Bundestag (Parliament: Lower House)
 What if Germans split their votes (vote
for a candidate from one party and for
a different party?)
 “Overhang” or “balance seats”- extra
seats which ensure that every candidate
who was directly elected gets a seat
while political parties are still
proportionally represented based on the
number of votes they received
 German state’s population is taken into
consideration when votes are converted
to seats
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Bundestag (Parliament: Lower House)
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Bundestag (Parliament: Lower House)
 Represents states’ governments in the
federal level;
 69 (3 - 6 per state) Appointed by state
government
 Over represents small states
 Bremen, 700,000 people= 3 seats
 North Rhine Westphalia, 18 mil= 6 seats
 Mainly concerned with laws that affect
states (education & local government)
 Bundesrat’s president is Germany’s vice
President
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Bundesrat (Parliament: Upper House)
 The Chancellor is the chief executive, head
of Government (like an PM)
 Defines government policy
 Heads the Cabinet (recommends the
formal appointment/dismissal of
ministers)
 Elected by the Bundestag (legislature)
 May be subjected to Constructive Vote of No
Confidence (1982)
 Currently Angela Merkel (since 2005)
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The Chancellor
 The president is the official head of state;
 Usually a moderate;
 Elected by the Federal Convention (federal
assembly or Bundesversammlung)
 Sole purpose is to elect the president
 Consists of all Bundestag members and an equal
number of states delegates elected by the Länder
 5 years term, Re-electable only once;
 Previously seen as “retirement office” or as
reward for service
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The German Federal President
Frank-Walter Steinmeier
(since March 2017), SPD
 Has important “reserve powers” (A81 Basic
Law)
 In case of legislative emergency he can accept
legislation without Bundestag’s approval
 Represents Germany in matters of international
law, concludes treaties with foreign states,
accredits diplomats (A 59(1) Basic Law)
 Signs all legislation and can technically veto a
law on substantive constitutional grounds
(exercised 8 times thus far)
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The German Federal President
Frank-Walter Steinmeier
(since March 2017), SPD
 Has the right to pardon criminals for federal
crimes
 Dissolves the Bundestag if a Chancellor loses
a motion of confidence
 Appoint/dismiss federal judges, military
officers & federal civil servants
 Mediator of national emergencies
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The German Federal President
Frank-Walter Steinmeier
(since March 2017), SPD
 Bundeskabinett/Bundesregierung
 Chief executive body, consists of the
Chancellor & cabinet ministers
 Its composition is a major issue in
building a coalition
 The cabinet ministers have the freedom
to carry out their duties independently,
but they must follow the Chancellor's
directive
 Ministers may dismiss the Chancellor with
constructive vote of no confidence (must
elect a new one)
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The German Cabinet
 Bundesminister (Federal Ministers)
appointed by the president based on
the recommendation of the chancellor.
 6/11 women (43.8%):
 Education and research
 Environment, nature, conservation & nuclear
safety
 Family affairs, senior citizens, women and
youth
 Food and agriculture
 Defense
 Justice and consumer protection (non
German parent)
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The German Cabinet
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The German Cabinet
 7 years older than the German population
 Hold a university degree
 5 have Phd, 1 Prof M.D
 6: poli-sci, 4:law,
 3: economics/business,
 2: Medicine
 East underrepresented
 Saarland overrepresented (1m<)
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Federal Constitutional Court
 Reviews the constitutionality of legislation
 Can limit the decision-making power of the
Bundestag
 Hears:
 Constitutional issues that are brought
before it (also by individuals)
 Cases referred by a lower court
 Federal or state governments or 1/3
of Bundestag deputies can request
review of law
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Germany’s Federal System
 Citizens are treated equally and
have the right to worship as they
choose
 Citizens enjoy the freedom of
speech, right to a fair trial, the
right to own property, and the
right to security
 Citizens do not directly elect the
leaders (only the Bundestag)
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Citizen Participation & rights
Voter turnout at general election in Germany
 The 2 major parties are the CDU (Christian democratic union) and the SPD
(Social democratic party), but neither can easily achieve a parliamentary
majority
 Other parties include:
 CSU (sister party to the CDU)
 FDP (Free Democratic Party)
 Green Party
 Left Party (Linke)
 Since 1966, all federal governments have been formed of at least two
parties. Currently, the CDU is in power in a coalition with the SPD
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German Parties
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German Parties- CDU
 Center right Christian Democratic Union of
Germany is the main conservative party
 Originates in the Catholic Center Party founded
after the WW2
 Traditionally supported by Catholics, nowadays
also by Germans with other/no religion
 Merkel, CDU leader and Chancellor (since 2005)
is a protestant who was raised in former East
Germany
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German Parties- CDU
 Supports:
 Conservative social values
 Social market economy (free market whilst
ensuring social quality)
 CDU has had 2 Grand Coalitions with the SPD in
the past.
 CDU’s preferred partner it Free Democratic Party
(1949–56, 1961–66, 1982–98, and 2009–13)
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German Parties- SPD
 The center left Social Democratic Party of
Germany originated in the 19-century labor
movement
 Traditionally representing the working class,
supported by protestant and industrial cities
 Party platform is social democracy, believing in:
 A strengthened social market economy
 A welfare state
 Civil rights
 European integration
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German Parties- SPD
 Was the largest party in Germany until the last
decade
 Lost voters when the last SPD Chancellor made
extensive welfare cuts in the easy 2000s and
later when the left party was formed
 Was last in power in 2009
 The CSU, Christian Social Union of Bavaria
party, sister party to CDU;
 Generally more socially conservative than the CDU;
 Founded in 1945, governed Bavaria since 1949;
 CDU/CSU => the union parties (Unionsparteien)
or the Union, center-right Christian democratic
political alliance
 Union due to German Federal Electoral Law:
parties who share the same basic political goals
mustn't compete
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Smaller German Parties
 Party (FDP) is a liberal party founded in 1948
 Supporting:
 Economic and social liberalism
 Free market economy
 Civil liberties and human rights
 Internationalism
 Shifted from the center to the center-right
 Has been the junior partner in coalitions with
both major parties and, as such, has actually
been in power for longer than any other party
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Smaller German Parties
 The Alliance ‘90/Green Party, formed in 1993;
 The environment & pacifisms were cornerstone issues,
but pacifism was dropped when it joined the Federal
government in coalition with SDP in 1998;
 Supports:
 Alternative energy
 Sustainable development & green transport policy
 Mainly supported by higher income city dwellers
 Die Linke (Left Party), formed in 2007;
 The most left-wing (and fourth largest) party in the
Bundestag;
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Smaller German Parties
 Die Linke (Left Party), formed in 2007;
 The most left-wing (and smallest) party
in the Bundestag;
 Supports:
 Increased government public
spending
 Higher taxes for corporations and
high earners;
 Mainly supported by older Germans.
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Smaller German Parties
 The neo-Nazi National Democratic Party (NPD),
the nationalist German People's Union (DVU) and
The Republicans are the far right parties
 The Alternative for Germany, right-wing populist
& Eurosceptic political party
 Founded in April 2013, won 4.7% of the votes
in 2013 federal election
 In 2014, won 7.1% and 7/96 German seats
in the European election
 Gained representation in 10 of the 16
German state parliaments
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Smaller German Parties
 The German Pirate Party (Piratenpartei
Deutschland) was founded in 2006 after similar
parties were founded in France and Sweden
 Broke through into national politics in 2011,
winning several seats at state level
 Supports:
 Internet freedom (part of n int. movement
to shape the “digital revolution”
 Political transparency, direct democracy
 Anti-corruption
 Diminishing popularity, so far failed to win a
seat at the federal level
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Smaller German Parties
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Bundestag (Parliament: Lower House)
 Party funding comes from membership
dues
 The political parties receive free
campaign advertising on public
television and radio stations for
European, national & local elections
 All major parties experienced a
decrease in party membership in the
early 1990s, possibly a result of the
increased general distrust of political
parties
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German Political Parties
Liberal Democrat Voice 2012
Trends in Party membership in Europelow
membership countries
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Current Bundestag (2017)
33%
10.7%
12.6%
20.5%
8.9%
9.2%
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 61,5 Million Germans could vote
 (3 Million first time voters)
 299 constituencies (Wahlkreisen), 4828
candidates, representing 42 political
parties
 The two big parties, CDU/CSU and SPD
suffered severe losses- second worst and
worst result ever (respectively);
 Many votes went to smaller parties
Current Bundestag (2017)
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 AfD (Alternative for Germany), right-wing
populist party got in the Bundestag: big
shift in German politics: first far-right party
to win seats in parliament since 1950s
 Merkel's (4th candidacy) CDU/CSU only
reached 33.0% but won the highest
number of seats (no realistic coalition
without them)
Current Bundestag (2017)
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 All parties in the Bundestag ruled out a
coalition with the AfD, the only options for
a majority coalition were:
 “Jamaican" coalition (CDU/CSU, FDP,
Greens)
 A grand Coalition with SPD
 Coalition talks between the three
"Jamaican" parties broke and for the first
time minority coalitions were seriously
discussed;
Current Bundestag (2017)
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 President Steinmeier invited leaders of all
parties for talks (first President to do so)
 CDU/CSU and SPD agreed to renew the
grand coalition and re-election of Angela
Merkel as chancellor
Current Bundestag (2017)
Germany Economy
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 Third largest economy in the world
 Behind the U.S and Japan
 Largest in Europe
 Remarkable achievements in:
 Postwar economic development
 Postwar democratic consolidation
A Global Economic Power
 Main German trading goods (2017)
EUR bn:
 Motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers
235
 Machinery and equipment 185
 Chemicals and chemical products 111
 Electrical equipment 83
 Basic pharmaceutical products 76
 Other transport equipment 58
 Basic metals 54 basic food products 54
 Rubber + plastic products 46
A Global Economic Power
 Main exporter, produces much more than
it consumes
 Needs markets => free trade within the
EU
 2008 economic crisis (Greece, Italy, Spain,
Cyprus, Portugal)- demand for German
products declined- ‘saved’ by the US
 China, Korea, India- major demand centers
for German goods
 Depended on Russia for energy (Nord
Stream 2 pipeline), Iran as an alternative?
 Oriented towards maintaining freedom, peace & prosperity
 Promoting democracy and safeguarding the future of the global community
 Driven by commercial interests
 Liberal Trade Policy (France- significant partner in Europe)
 European level =>
 Deepening & enlarging the European Union
 further development of partnership-relations with the regions bordering
the EU (development and stability)
 Promote European integration
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German Foreign Policy
 International level =>
 Further development of NATO & transatlantic cooperation
 Become a full-fledged partner in all areas of global policy
 Strengthening international organizations (UN, OSCE)
 Germany wants to take a more active/ dominant role in these
organizations
 Keep U.S. engaged in European security
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German Foreign Policy
 Currently the US is Germany’s biggest
export market
 Used to be a very close ally outside of the
EU until Trump
 Sent German troops to Afghanistan to
support American Troops
 Current divergence => European
exception from US’ aluminum tariffs, Iran
nuclear deal, intervention in Syria, sharing
NATO expenses
 The ‘responsible adult’ in Europe
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German US relations
German US relations
 America First mission => reducing trade
with Germany (started under Obama) +
protectionist trade policies – a threat to
German companies (automobile)
Trade war
Next Session...
 Marks
 Hegel
 Luther’s Protestant reformation
 Regional dialects
 ...
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Thank You For Your Attention!