Germany

German Bundestag Federal Council

German Bundestag

Parliament/Chamber has the power to summon members of the government: Yes

Sources:
All members of the Federal government (e.g., the Chancellor and Ministers, but not State Secretaries)

Constitution, Article 43
Parliament/chamber has the power to summon senior government officials: No
Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments: Not applicable
Approximate number of government appointments subject to parliamentary approval: Not applicable
Parliament/chamber has the power to approve key government appointments: No
Number of written questions asked, per year: 7,256

(2023)
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year: 7,256

(2023)

Notes: The Bundestag has the right to question the government in several ways: via major interpellations, minor interpellations, written questions, and oral questions. Figures only depict total written questions.
Percentage of written questions answered by the government, per year: 100.0%

(2023)
Parliament/chamber has power to carry out inquiries: Yes

Sources: Constitution, Article 44
Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year: 1

(2023)

Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government: Parliament elects the Head of Government

Sources: Constitution, Article 63
The Head of Government is also the Head of State: No
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State: Other

Notes: The Federal President shall be elected by the Federal Convention. The Federal Convention shall consist of the Members of the Bundestag and an equal number of members elected by the parliaments of the Federal States on the basis of proportional representation.

Sources: Constitution, Article 54

Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted: No
Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted: No information available

There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure)
Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment: Not applicable

There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: The Head of Government
Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence: Lower chamber

Sources: Constitution, Article 67 (Vote of no confidence) & Article 68 (Vote of confidence).

Updated at	Number of written questions asked, per year
2024-01	No information available
2023-01	7,256
2022-01	6,396
2021-01	8,452
2020-01	10,390
2019-01	10,257
2018-01	8,257
2017-06	3,452
2017-01	No information available
2016-01	3,506
2015-01	3,574
2014-01	3,608
2013-01	4,571

Updated at	Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
2024-01	No information available
2023-01	7,256
2022-01	6,396
2021-01	8,452
2020-01	10,321
2019-01	10,257
2018-01	8,257
2017-06	3,452
2017-01	No information available
2016-01	3,506
2015-01	3,574
2014-01	3,608
2013-01	4,571

Updated at	Percentage of written questions answered by the government, per year
2024-01	No information available
2023-01	100.0%
2022-01	100.0%
2021-01	100.0%
2020-01	99.3%
2019-01	100.0%
2018-01	100.0%
2017-06	100.0%
2017-01	No information available
2016-01	100.0%
2015-01	100.0%
2014-01	100.0%
2013-01	100.0%

Updated at	Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
2024-01	No information available
2023-01	1
2022-01	1
2021-01	3
2020-01	4
2019-01	3,615
2018-01	2,444
2017-06	932
2017-01	No information available
2016-01	1,027
2015-01	1,033
2014-01	1,015
2013-01	742