Federal Republic of Germany Parliament and the Executive

Political Science Seminar Series Title: Enforcing NAFO Regulations: A European Union Perspective Presented by: Michele Del Zompo, Senior Coordinator of Control Operations with the (EU) Community Fisheries Control Agency When: Friday, November 16, 2007, 3:00pm Where: Room A1045

This should lay out the argument of the paper in point form Research papers: PRELIMINARY OUTLINE Due Friday, November 16th This should lay out the argument of the paper in point form

Final exam Saturday, Dec. 8th 9:00-11:00 AA1043

Party system: A moderate multiparty system 3-5 parties represented in the Bundestag Parties disagree on extent of government intervention, as well as foreign policy, but Substantial areas of agreement Commitment to social market economy, welfare state

The Chancellor Constitutional position -- strong Elected by the Bundestag (lower house) Appoints the cabinet Constitutionally charged with responsibility for overall government policy Can only be removed through a positive vote of non-confidence (Bundestag must elect a replacement)

Limits on the chancellor’s power Basic law also gives cabinet ministers constitutional responsibility for their own departments Political limits: Multiparty politics Coalition government: In order get power, a chancellor must share power Need to pilot legislation through both the Bundestag (lower house) and the Bundesrat (Federal Council, in which laender (provincial governments) have a veto

German Chancellors Relatively few occupants: Konrad Adenauer – CDU (1949-63) Ludwig Erhard – CDU (1963-66) Kurt Kiesinger – CDU (1966-69) Willie Brandt – SPD (1969-1974) Helmut Schmidt – SPD (1974-82) Helmut Kohl – CDU (1982-98) Gerhard Schroeder – SPD (1998-2004) Angela Merkel (2004-present)

Chancellors and their power: Political position: Typically: leader of the largest party Winner of the last election Position within cabinet: Unlike British PM, unable to shuffle at will However, strong backing from the chancellery – like the Cabinet Secretariat, a strong central agency Need to maintain political authority within his party and the country as a whole

Stronger and weaker chancellors: Adenauer Schmidt Kohl Middling: Kiesinger Brandt Schroeder Weaker: Erhard

Gerhard Schroeder’s position Leads a divided SPD Narrowly based coalition: SPD and Greens have a narrow 10 seat majority Decreasing popularity Impact of recent provincial elections Uncertain international stature

Comparing the British Prime Minister and the German Chancellor: Which (if either) is most capable of acting without first securing the consent of others?