West - Head of State

What happened to the powers of the federal resident?

Were dramatically diminished to mainly representative functions.

Term in office reduced from 7 to 5 years.

Who was the president chosen by?

A special assembly made up of members of the Bundestag. Equal numbers elected by Lander parliaments.

How was the president elected in Weimar?

People elected the president with far-reaching political powers like Chancellor, Article 48.

Who was the federal parliament in the west?

The Bundestag.

Who was the federal council in the west?

The Bundesrat.

What did the chancellor have to be?

Had to be elected by and solely responsible to the Bundestag.

What was different regarding the chancellor in the west compared to Weimar?

Unlike the vote of no confidence the Bundestag could only bring down the chancellor and his government by a so called ‘constructive vote of no confidence’.

What was the constructive vote of no confidence?

Meant opposition needed a majority support, but also had to offer a stable positive majority for alternative government.

What did the west uphold in its electoral system?

Upheld pluralism of political parties as necessity.

What was introduced regarding the electoral system?

The ‘mixed number PR’ which allowed each voter to have 2 votes.

Easier to get majority, creating stability.

What was introduced in 1953?

A 5% hurdle, so if any party won under 5% of the national vote, it was barred from parliament.

Geared to favour larger parties.

What was created regarding the supreme court and democratic rights?

A new agency to investigate and prevent any anti-democratic activities from the left or right in the FRG.