The German government has recently taken a significant step, passing a trillion-euro debt plan in the outgoing Bundestag. This move has raised concerns about the future of democracy in Germany. The plan was not discussed in the election campaign and the details of how the funds will be used are still unknown.
The German constitution (Grundgesetz) states that the Bundestag can be dissolved by the president on the proposal of the chancellor if a motion of no confidence is not supported by a majority of the members of the Bundestag. The current situation is unique, as the old parliament has been dissolved and the new one has not yet taken office.
Some argue that the current situation is an interregnum, a period of time when the old and new parliaments coexist, which is not provided for in the constitution. Others claim that the new parliament can still be constituted before the scheduled date of March 25, as the constitution allows the Bundestag to determine its own schedule.
Article 39 of the German constitution states that the Bundestag can determine its own schedule and the president of the Bundestag can call an earlier meeting if a third of the members, the president, or the chancellor request it. This could potentially allow the new parliament to take office earlier, making the current situation impossible.
The German parliament has a long history of not upholding its duties and the current situation is a prime example of this. The parliament has failed to hold the government accountable and the government has failed to provide transparency about the use of the funds.
The current situation raises questions about the legitimacy of the government’s actions and the future of democracy in Germany. The German people have a right to know how their taxes will be used and how their government is being run. The government’s actions are a clear example of the erosion of democracy and the lack of accountability in the country.