Comparing European Governments:

United Kingdom, Germany, & Russia

SS6CG5 Explain the structure of modern European governments.

a. Compare the parliamentary system of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom), the federal system of the Federal Republic of Germany (Germany), and the federation of the Russian Federation (Russia), distinguishing the form of leadership and the role of the citizen in terms of voting and personal freedoms

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The Parliamentary System of the United Kingdom

Its main roles are:◦ Examining and challenging the work of the

government◦ Debating and passing all laws (legislation)◦ Enabling the government to raise taxes

(controls taxes)

The United Kingdom is a Parliamentary Democracy…

The business of Parliament takes place in two Houses: ◦ 1. House of Commons ◦ 2. House of Lords

Parliament’s Two House System

Citizens elect members of the House of Commons

The political party with the most votes chooses the Prime Minister.

The House of Commons is responsible for making laws for the country.

The House of Commons

• plays an important part in revising legislation and keeping a check on government

• The House of Lords has little power.

• Most members of the House of Lords are nobles who have inherited their titles.

The House of Lords

1. Prime Minister◦ This role is the real head of government. He or

she is the leader of the Parliament and is the chief executive of the country.

2. Head of State (King or Queen)◦ This role is only symbolic; the Head of State holds

very little political power. Although, the Queen is an important symbol of national unity.

Leadership

The Federal System of the Federal Republic of

Germany

Like the United States, Germany is a “federal republic” ◦a national government and state governments share powers.

Technically, it’s government is a Federal Parliamentary Representative Democratic Republic…whew! (You don’t have to write this one down!)

Germany’s Democracy:

1. Chancellor:◦This is the real head of government, similar

to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.◦He or she is chosen by Parliament, and is

the chief executive of the country.

2. President:• Chosen by a federal convention. Germany’s

president has very little power, and mainly carries out ceremonial duties.

Leadership

• Former President Bush welcomes German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the Oval Office

• She is the 1st woman and the first East German to hold this position

Don’t copy this information. Just read it.

1. Bundesrat (Upper House)◦ Mainly an advisory council, but must approve laws and

amendments ◦ Holds little political power◦ Representatives are not elected directly by the people

2. Bundestag (Lower House)◦ The citizens vote for & elect members to this House.◦ Holds most of Germany’s political power.◦ Members elect the Chancellor.

Parliament’s Two Houses

Russian Federation

After the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia became a democracy.

The citizens elect the nation’s leaders.

Like the United States, Russia is a “federal republic” ◦the power is divided between national and state governments with a president who leads the nation

Russia’s Democracy

This is the Parliament of the Russian Federation.

It consists of two chambers:◦ 1. The Federation Council (Upper House)

Selected by government officials Power is limited

◦ 2. The State Duma (Lower House) Chosen by the people Main legislative branch

The Federal Assembly

The 1993 constitution created a dual executive branch that consists of a Prime Minister and a President, but the president is the dominant figure.

President ◦ Head of state- Commander-in-Chief◦ Chosen by the people◦ Leader of country

Prime Minister◦ Chosen by President- approved by Duma

Leadership