Politics of Baden-Württemberg

The state of Baden- Württemberg has only existed since 1952 and is in the political tradition of the historical states of Baden and Württemberg. Politically, Baden- Württemberg dominated conservative. From 1953 to 2011, the CDU led without interruption, the state government, partly as the sole ruling party, partly in shifting coalitions. But the FDP ( here FDP / DVP 's called), and more recently THE GREEN and Alliance 90/The Greens are here traditionally been strong. After the parliamentary elections of March 27, 2011 for the first time a green-red government originated in the country's history with Winfried Kretschmann (Green Party) as Prime Minister.

Political Structure

The state of Baden -Württemberg - divided into four administrative districts (Freiburg, Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Tübingen) and in accordance with the reform of 1973 in 35 counties and 9 urban districts - in addition to the actual state level. There are 1,108 cities and towns. Sometimes there are even local councils within the communities; many communities have emerged in the 1970s from the merger of previously independent places. Is correspondingly large part the independence of individual consciousness districts. Between urban and rural districts there are multiple forms of cooperation, such as special-purpose associations. These often correspond to the division into regions; however politically significant is actually only the Stuttgart region.

State Government

See also: State Government of Baden- Württemberg

The first Baden-Württemberg Minister President came from the FDP, then followed for 58 years, from 1953 to 2011, an unbroken series of the CDU asked the Prime Minister, which was terminated by the first Alliance -Green 2011:

Since she was sworn in on 12 May 2011, the current state government (the " Cabinet Kretschmann " ) in office.

Diet

See: Parliament of Baden -Württemberg

Local level

Also, the Baden-Württemberg municipal law recognizes some special features. The Mayor (or in larger cities: the mayor ) are elected directly (Süddeutsche council constitution ) and are thus independent of the composition of local councils. The duration of a term of office is for them eight years, so that mayoral elections do not coincide in general with the elections of local councils. Among other things, why are formal party coalitions rarely in Baden-Württemberg municipal councils.

The Locality, municipal and city councils and county councils are elected every five years. Every five years, the Regional Assembly of the Stuttgart Region is selected.

For the 35 district councils provide parties and associations of voters lists in several constituencies. Each voter has as many votes as there are seats in the constituency. The lists can even contain a - half times as many applicants. In the election itself can be accumulated and variegated, ie votes may be accumulated on a person, and it can be selected by several lists of time. The distribution of seats on the individual lists and constituencies takes place by a similar method as in the regional elections.

For the municipal councils and city councils of the cities, there is generally only one constituency (special case: improper subset choice of location ). Parties and electoral associations provide up to as many candidates on as there are seats. Voters turn have as many votes as there are seats, and can accumulate and panaschieren. The seats of the parties or voters' associations in the city council or the council now depends on the total number of votes is eliminated candidates together on the respective list. This is translated using the d' Hondt method to seat numbers, which are then awarded to the candidates of the lists in the order of most reached absolute numbers of votes.

Typical of Baden- Württemberg is the relative success of electoral associations. Federation of associations of voters is the national association CDU Baden- Württemberg. These are often liberal to conservative lists that combine especially dignitaries and businessmen. In some cases, there are also non-partisan lists that are more likely attributable to the social democratic, left or green spectrum. Also on party lists stand quite often independent, so people without party membership.

Country representatives

The country maintains two state representatives outside of Baden- Württemberg. Since 1954, the Representation of Baden - Württemberg in Berlin, which had its seat until the move by the Federal Government in Bonn and today is based in Berlin. In 1987 came to only as "Office", then as a representative to represent the state of Baden- Württemberg to the European Union in Brussels about which acts as a link between the state of Baden- Württemberg and the European Union.