Bundesrat

m

1. BRD und Österreich: Bundesrat, Upper House (of the German / Austrian Parliament)

2. Schweiz: Bundesrat, Executive Federal Council

3. Österreich, Schweiz: (Person) member of the Bundesrat

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The Bundesrat is the second chamber of the Federal Republic of Germany, representing the Länder. It has 69 members, who are not elected but delegated by the 16 Land governments. The most important of the Bundesrat's duties concerns legislation: Federal laws that impinge upon the responsibilities of the Länder require its approval. The Bundesrat may also object to other laws, although the Bundestag can overrule the objection. As a result, Federal policy can be influenced by parties who are in opposition in the Bundestag if these parties hold a majority in most of the Land parliaments. In Austria the Bundesrat has 63 members. Apart from being able to introduce its own proposals for legislation, the Bundesrat has certain rights of veto and approval with regard to laws passed by the Nationalrat. In Switzerland, however, the Bundesrat is the executive body, i.e. the government. The Bundesversammlung appoints seven Bundesräte (ministers), who must come from different cantons, for a period of four years. Each of these ministers is then placed in charge of a Departement. See: → Bundestag, Bundesversammlung, Nationalrat

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Bun·des·rat¹

m

1. BRD, ÖSTERR Bundesrat (Upper House of Parliament)

2. kein pl SCHWEIZ Federal Council (executive body)

Bun·des·rat², -rä·tin

m, f ÖSTERR Member of the Bundesrat/Upper House of Parliament; SCHWEIZ Member of the Federal Council

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der

1) Bundesrat

2) (österr., schweiz.) Federal Council

•• Cultural note:

Bundesrat

This is the upper house of the German parliamentary system, where the Länder are represented. The Bundesrat members are appointed by the Länder governments. The Bundesrat has to approve laws affecting the Länder, and also any changes to the Grundgesetz. Sometimes the opposition parties actually hold a majority in the Bundesrat, which allows them to influence German legislation

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Bundesrat m

1. BRD und Österreich: Bundesrat, Upper House (of the German/Austrian Parliament)

2. Schweiz: Bundesrat, Executive Federal Council

3. Österreich, Schweiz: (Person) member of the Bundesrat

* * *

der

1) Bundesrat

2) (österr., schweiz.) Federal Council

•• Cultural note:

Bundesrat

This is the upper house of the German parliamentary system, where the Länder are represented. The Bundesrat members are appointed by the Länder governments. The Bundesrat has to approve laws affecting the Länder, and also any changes to the Grundgesetz. Sometimes the opposition parties actually hold a majority in the Bundesrat, which allows them to influence German legislation