The Governments of Germany and Russia

The Governments of Germany and Russia

Social Studies: 1/25 - 1/29

Essential Questions

• What type of government is found in Germany and Russia?

• How is the head of government selected in Germany?

• What are the rights of the citizens in Germany?

Germany's Government

Government of Germany

Germany has a federal government system organized by its constitution ( The Basic Laws). Lander( The States) shares power with the National Government. The states having more power makes it harder for a dictator to gain power.

Bundestag & Bundesrat

The States and National Government have a parliamentary system, which is divided into two houses: The Bundestag & The Bundesrat. The Bundestag has almost 600 members; these members are elected by citizens of the state. The chancellor is also elected by the Bundestag.

Bundestag & Bundesrat

The 69 members of the upper house are is are the Bundesrat; these members are appointed by the individual states and are not voted in by the general population. The members are selected to represent the interest of each state.

https://youtu.be/LqVqzE1utKw

President (Head of State):

Has limited power but has an important role in government as a respected leader who signs laws and treaties, among other duties. The President of Germany is Frank-Walter Steinmeier

Chancellor

Is the Chief Executive of the German government & head of the military. The Chancellor of Germany is Angela Merkel

Multiple Choice

The citizens of the state elect members to which house?

• Bundestag

• Bundesrat

Open Ended

How does the voting system of Germany make it fairer?

Multiple Choice

The 69 members of ___________ upper house are appointed by the individual states.

• Bundestag

• Bundesrat

Citizen Participation

The people of Germany have freedom of religion and expression. Citizens are viewed as equal before the law. Basic laws state Germany is a welfare state (certain people gain benefits when they are unemployed, poor, disabled, elderly, or sick).

Citizen Participation

Citizens can vote when they are 18 years of age; people use their voting rights to speak through their representatives. German citizens also elect representatives to European Parliament: Brussels, Belgium, and Strasbourg France.

Multiple Choice

The_________________ of Germay signs laws and treaties, among other duties.

• President

• Chancellor

Open Ended

What does a welfare state mean?

The Government of Russia

The Government of Russia

Russia operates under and modified presidential democracy (the head of state (president) leads and the executive branch that is separate from the legislative branch.

https://safeshare.tv/x/mmHsKdpPTPk#

The Government of Russia

Russia is governed by a constitution drafted into law in December of 1993. The constitution has been modified by the present-day federal assembly (legislature) to meet the ever-changing needs of the country.

The President and Prime Minister

The head of state is the president, who is directly elected by the people. The President then selects a Prime Minister and directs the military and security forces.

The President of Russia

Vladimir Putin

Russia's Prime Minister

Mikhail Mishustin

Open Ended

Who selects the President and who selects the Prime Minister?

Federation Council & Duma State

The Federal Assembley is broken into two parts: The Federation Council and the State Duma. The Federation Council has two representitives who are appointed from each state. The state also appoints council members for 5 year terms.

Federation Council & Duma State

One of the councils duties is to improve the presidents' choices of people to fulfill different government jobs.

Multiple Choice

Which one of these are true about the Federation Council?

• Help improve the decisions of the president and he picks to have government jobs.

• Serve five year terms

• Are appointed from each state.

• All of the above

State Duma

• Is larger than the Federation Council

• Has 450 members who are elected by the citizens

• Controls the budget and making of laws.

• Members of the Duma approve the president's choice for the Prime Minister.

• The President and Prime Ministers share responsibilities of running government.

Citizen Participation

Russia’s constitution guarantees human and civil rights for its citizens. All people are equal in the eyes of the law. Russians have the right to life and dignity, freedom of speech, and privacy. Once 18 years of age, Russian citizens may vote for the office of president. Most other governmental positions are then appointed by the president.  

Open Ended

List two things you learned about Russia and two things you have learned about Germany. You should have 4 facts in total.