CHAPTER IV

PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT

SECTION 1

THE REICHSTAG

Privileges and guarantees accorded to the Reichstag 131

The rules of the Reichstag 135

The duration of the powers of the Reichstag 137

Powers of the Reichstag 138 1. Powers of the Reichstag, as principal holder of sovereignty 138 2. Legislative powers; how laws are proposed and passed 139 3. Power of control; interpellations and committees 147

SECTION 2

THE PRESIDENT OF THE REICH

The need for a strong president 153

The election of the President and the length of his term 156

The powers of the President 162

The responsibility of the President 168

SECTION 3

THE CABINET OF THE REICH

The Chancellor and the Ministers according to the Constitution 172

The working of constitutional rules; how a Ministry is formed, how it works and is dissolved 177

SECTION 4

THE REICHSRAT

General features of the Reichsrat 186

The composition and the functioning of the Reichsrat 188

Powers of the Reichsrat 192