Reichstag

The Reichstag is the lower house in the German Parliament. In the election to the Reichstag, there is enacted universal suffrage for everyone aged 20 or older and election is every forth week. The threshold for winning a seat in the Reichstag is 0,4%, around 60 000 votes.

The parliament passes legislation and the government budget, as well as making declarations of war and ratifying international treaties. The members of the German cabinet, or government, is responsible to the Reichstag, which can force the resignation of ministers or even the whole cabinet by a motion of no confidence. It can also revoke "emergency decrees" by the President according to Article 48 of the constitution however, on the other hand the President is able to dissolve the Reichstag.