Bundestag (Germany's lower house of parliament) | News and current affairs from Germany and around the world | DW | 31.03.2016

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Bundestag (Germany's lower house of parliament)

The "Bundestag" is Germany's main legislative body. Its over 600 members are elected every four years in a mixed system of constituency and list voting.

All legislation has to pass first the Bundestag and then the Bundesrat, the upper house. The Bundestag is located in Berlin in the "Reichstag" building near the Brandenburg Gate.

Intersexuelle Person

Germany adds 'diverse' as a gender to birth register 14.12.2018

The German parliament was forced by the courts to make "diverse" an option on the birth register. Critics are split on whether the law goes too far, or not far enough.

Brexit und Deutschland - Theresa May und Angela Merkel

No Brexit renegotiation, Angela Merkel tells Bundestag 12.12.2018

The German chancellor says that her country continues to seek an "orderly" Brexit, but is preparing for harsher eventualities. The topic dominated Merkel's second-ever parliamentary Q&A session.
Symbolbild Cyberattacke Virus Wurm Virusattacke

Germany detects new cyberattack targeting politicians, military 30.11.2018

The Russian hacker group "Snake" has reportedly hacked email accounts of several German officials. The cyberattack was detected nearly a year after the group allegedly accessed Germany's government network.
Rettungsaktion von Open Arms auf dem Mittelmeer

German Bundestag votes to support UN migration pact 29.11.2018

A majority of German parliamentarians has voted in favor of a global pact aimed at regulating migration. Despite its nonbinding nature, the pact has increasingly come under fire from populists across the world.
Symbolbild Euro-Geldscheine

German parliament approves record budget for 2019 23.11.2018

The Bundestag has approved a national budget for 2019 that envisages around €13 billion more in expenditure than in 2018. At the same time, the government plans to do without net borrowing for a sixth year.
SPD-Parteitag in Berlin | Martin Schulz, Vorsitzender (picture-alliance/dpa/M. Kappeler)

Martin Schulz: 'I am not a bad loser' 21.11.2018

The former president of the European Parliament failed dramatically in his bid to unseat Chancellor Angela Merkel. But is he looking for a comeback? He talked to DW's Conflict Zone.
Deutschland Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel im Bundestag

Angela Merkel defends policy in Bundestag debate 21.11.2018

Chancellor Merkel countered a storm of accusations and scorn from the far right in her first parliamentary speech since announcing this would be her last term. She also emphasized the value of international cooperation.
Emmanuel Macron am Volkstrauertag in Berlin

Emmanuel Macron calls for unified Europe in Bundestag address 18.11.2018

In a speech to Germany's parliament, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a new Franco-German alliance to equip Europe for future challenges. His visit came on Germany's annual war remembrance day.
Deutschland Bundestag - AfD

Opinion: A cold-hearted, fearmongering AfD 08.11.2018

A fierce debate in the Bundestag over the envisioned UN migration pact has pitted Germany's far-right populists against all other parties. It is good to see democrats face down the misanthropes, says DW's Jens Thurau.
Berlin Bundestag 61. Sitzung

German parliament rows over UN Migration Compact 08.11.2018

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has demanded that Germany follow the US example and withdraw from the UN Migration Compact. Other parties welcomed the chance to correct the far-right's interpretations of the agreement.
Conflict Zone mit Wolfgang Schäuble

Wolfgang Schäuble: Angela Merkel won't be a 'lame duck' 29.10.2018

On Conflict Zone, Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble discussed the chancellor's bombshell decision not to seek re-election. It was a "tectonic change," but he predicted Merkel would see out her term.
Niederlande Angela Merkel in Middelburg

Angela Merkel: Conquerer of political rivals 29.10.2018

Angela Merkel has long shown a knack for neutralizing or sidelining politicians who got in her way. This applies as much to members of her own party as to rivals in other parties.
Hessen - Angela Merkel

Opinion: After the Hesse election Germany’s domestic focus continues 28.10.2018

After the election in Hesse, the right-wing nationalist AfD is now represented in all of Germany's parliaments. The main focus for the Bundestag will now be its own problems, writes DW's editor-in-chief Ines Pohl.
Deutschland Berliner Mauer

Wolfgang Schäuble: Reunification a 'second chance' for Germany 03.10.2018

Speaking on German Unity Day, Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble said Germany must not evade the past. October 3 commemorates the anniversary of the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990.
Berlin Askanischer Platz

Polish victims of Nazi terror need Berlin memorial, says historian 28.09.2018

A call that a memorial to Polish World War II victims of Nazi Germany be erected in Berlin has been renewed by former Bundestag President Rita Süssmuth. The initiative has the backing of some 100 prominent Germans.
Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel

Opinion: Time nearly up for Angela Merkel to cement legacy 26.09.2018

The defeat inflicted by Angela Merkel's own party is expediting her fall from power. But, now that the cards have been put on the table, she needs to act fast to achieve her EU goals, DW's Michaela Küfner writes.
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