Objective: Describe the federal
system of Germany and the
federation system of the Russian
Federation.
THE GOVERNMENT
Parliament
Parliament:
The Bundestag and the Bundesrat
• Bundestag: more powerful, selects the
Chancellor, Citizens of each German state
elect its members
• Bundesrat: represents the interests of the
state governments, each state selects
representatives, local government
= POWER IS SPLIT BETWEEN CENTRAL
GOVERNMENT AND STATES
Chancellor
• Chief executive of the
government
• Center of power,
responsible for all
government policies
• Head of the military
• At one point, Hitler was
the Chancellor
• Most like a Prime
Minister
The President
• The President is the
HEAD OF STATE
• This means he
represents Germany to
other countries and has
little power
• Serves as a symbol for
the country
• Ceremonial duties
CITIZENS/Basic Law
• The Constitution of Germany is called “Basic
Law”
• Freedom of religion and speech, right to vote
• Welfare state: this means that the
government guarantees people certain
benefits when they are unemployed, poor,
disabled, old, or sick.
Russia
THE GOVERNMENT
Federal Assembly
• Federation Council
– Two representatives from each state
– States appoint members, NOT elected by the people
– Represents the governments of the states
• State Duma
– Larger than the Council, has 450 members who ARE
ELECTED by the people, controls the budget and
makes the laws
– Approves president’s choice for prime minister
Prime Minister
• Responsible for day to day running of the
government
• Chosen by the president
President
•
•
•
•
Head of State
Elected by the people
Selects the prime minister
Can break up the Federal Assembly
Citizens/Constitution
• Guarantees citizens all human rights, freedom
of speech, right to privacy, right to life and
dignity, right to vote.
CHALLENGE
PITSTOP
Take out a piece of loose leaf paper
and answer the following questions: