Germany is a **federal parliamentary republic** governed under the **Basic Law (Grundgesetz)**. Political authority is shared between the federal government and the **16 Länder** (states), each with its own constitution, parliament, and government. This federal structure is central to German public administration and political life.
**National institutions** - **Head of state:** The **Federal President** (*Bundespräsident*), a largely ceremonial office with constitutional responsibilities. - **Head of government:** The **Federal Chancellor** (*Bundeskanzler*), who leads the federal government. - **Lower house:** The **Bundestag**, elected by the public. - **Upper house:** The **Bundesrat**, representing the governments of the states. - **Constitutional court:** The **Federal Constitutional Court** (*Bundesverfassungsgericht*), based in Karlsruhe.
**Administrative structure** - 16 states, including city-states such as **Berlin**, **Hamburg**, and **Bremen**. - Below the state level are districts (*Kreise*), urban districts (*kreisfreie Städte*), municipalities, and local councils. - Responsibilities are shared across levels in areas such as education, policing, transport, planning, and social services.
**Political representation** - Germany uses a mixed electoral system combining direct constituency representation with proportional party representation. - Major national parties have included the **CDU/CSU**, **SPD**, **Alliance 90/The Greens**, **FDP**, **The Left**, and **AfD**, though electoral strength changes over time. - Germany is also represented in the **European Parliament** and is a leading member of the **European Union**.
**Public services** - Public services are extensive and generally well institutionalized. - Core systems include statutory health insurance, public pensions, social welfare, unemployment support, policing, fire services, courts, public broadcasting, and transport planning. - Education policy is strongly shaped by the states, which means school structures can vary regionally.
For current officeholders, legislative majorities, and coalition arrangements, official federal government and Bundestag sources are the best reference because they can change after elections and cabinet reshuffles.
