Germany

German Bundestag

Political system
Parliamentary system
Structure of parliament
Bicameral
IPU membership
Yes

Law-making

Data on parliament’s law-making role and activities

Legislative activity

Number of laws adopted by parliament, per year
107
(2023)
Total number of laws adopted by Parliament in the previous legislature
537
(2021-10)
Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by parliament
100
(2021-10)
Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by the government
437
(2021-10)
Percentage of laws initiated by parliament in the previous legislature
19%
(2021-10)
Dates of the previous legislature
24 Oct 2017 to 26 Oct 2021
(2021-10)
Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislation
Other

Notes:

Normally, bills adopted by the Bundestag can only be vetoed by the Bundesrat. In that case, the objection of the Bundesrat can be overridden by a decision of the majority of the Members of the Bundestag. However, some bills (which are mentioned in the Constitution) need the explicit consent of the Bundesrat. If this consent is denied, the bill fails definitely.

Sources: Constitution, Articles 77 & 78

Executive-legislative relations

Legislation adopted by parliament requires the assent of the Head of State
Yes

Sources:

According to the prevailing view in German jurisprudence, the Federal President can deny assent only in cases where the law was not enacted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution (formal unconstitutionality) or if the unconstitutionality with regard to content is evident.

Constitution, Article 82

Number of times the Head of State declined to give assent to legislation, per year
0
(2023)
Consequences when the Head of State declines to give assent to legislation
No further action is taken. The legislation is rejected
Final decision when parliament and the Head of State do not agree
Head of State

Existence of a procedure to introduce emergency legislation

There is a procedure for introducing emergency legislation into parliament
Yes
Number of times the procedure for emergency legislation was used, per year
0

Historical data for IPU membership

Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No