Roles and functions
A constitutional body within a federal system
The basic idea underlying the democratic and federal constitution of Germany is the division of power.
In the performance of their tasks, the Federation and the Länder should work within a mutual checks-and-balance system but also practice mutual co-operation and consideration. The main difference between the German form of federalism and other federative systems when it comes to the division and execution of tasks is that the individual federal state governments participate directly in the decisions of the national state or Federation. This is done through the Bundesrat.
Within this system of division of power and combined performance of tasks, the Bundesrat has three central functions:
- It defends the interests of the Länder vis-à-vis the Federation and indirectly vis-à-vis the European Union.
- It ensures that the political and administrative experience of the Länder is incorporated in the Federation's legislation and administration and in European Union affairs.
- Like the other constitutional organs of the Federation, the Bundesrat also bears its share of the overall responsibility for the Federal Republic of Germany.