germany

Country information

• EU Constitution
  Bundestag and Bundesrat ratified the EU Constitution on 11 May and 27 May 2005, respectively (more).
  
  
• The Lisbon Treaty: to be ratified by the Parliament in May 2008.
  
  
• EU Presidency: January-June 2007 
  
  
• Government Type: federal republic
  
  
• Executive Branch
  
  � HEAD OF STATE
  President Horst KOEHLER (since 1 July 2004)
  
  � HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
  Chancellor Angela MERKEL (since 22 November 2005)
  
  � MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
  Frank-Walter STEINMEYER
  
  
• Legislative branch
  
  � ELECTIONS (FEDERAL ASSEMBLY)
  Last elections: 18 September 2005
  Next elections: September 2009
  
  � ELECTION RESULTS
  CDU/CSU 35.2% (226 seats)
  SPD 34.2% (222 seats)
  FDP 9.8% (61 seats)
  Left 8.7% (54 seats)
  Greens 8.1% (51 seats)
  
  
• Additional information
  
  � EXECUTIVE ELECTIONS
  Last presidential election held 23 May 2004 (next to be held 23 May 2009); chancellor elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Assembly for a four-year term; election last held 22 November 2005 (next to be held November 2009)