Reforming the Länder Constitutions

Authors

  • Martin Nettesheim
  • Benedikt Quarthal

Keywords:

Constitutions of the Länder, constitutional autonomy, constitutional amendment, limits, state organisation, fundamental rights, principles and goals

Abstract

This article begins by considering the comprehensive federal framework in which the constitutional autonomy of the Länder operates. It then describes in panoramic detail some regional constitutional reforms that substantially mean the establishment of guiding principles and goal-oriented provisions, references to the European projection of the regional-level administration, and reinforcing the instruments of parliamentary control of the regional governments and emergence of elements inherent to direct democracy. Despite their constitutional autonomy, far from questioning federal unity, these constitutional reforms point towards the effective realisation of its constitutional standardisation.

Issue

Section

ARTICLES