Federal Republic of Germany (Twilight of a New Era)

Federal Republic of Germany (German: Bundesrepublik Deutschland) is state of Central Europe established in 1920. It is the political successor state of the majority of the territories of the German Empire, after defeat in World War I, the abdication of Wilhelm II (May 1920) and May Revolution. It is bordered by Denmark in the North, Poland in the east, France, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg in the west, and Austria-Hungary and Switzerland in the south.

As defeated party in World War I, it had to accept the terms of the Treaty of Versailles (1920) that created in the East: Free City of Danzig, East Prussia Republic and Memel Territory, and to the West: Territory of the Saar Basin and Ruhr Territory.

Constitution of the FRG
The National Assembly, elected in 1920 and gathered in Weimar, approved the Constitution in 1921. The fundamental tenet of the Weimar Constitution is that Germany is to be a republic on the parliamentary model with a parliament elected using proportional representation. Universal suffrage is established, with a minimum voting age of 20.

The first article of the constitution stated that "The power of the state emanates from the people.". The FRG is defined as the region encompassed by the German states (Länder). Other regions can join the FRG based on popular self-determination and federal legislation.

At Federal level, all political and legislative power resides in the Volkstag, seated in Berlin. It is composed of representatives elected for a four-year term by the German people by an equal and secret ballot open to all Germans aged 20 or older. Proportional representation principles govern Volkstag elections. The Bundestat consists of members of the Länder governments which appoint and recall them. The Volkstag and the Bundesrat form together the National Assembly.

The executive power, at federal level resides in the Federal President, as Head of State and the Federal Chancellor has Head of Government. The Federal President is elected directly the people for a five year mandate. Reelection for a consecutive term is permitted only once. Federal Government consists of the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Ministers. The Federal Chancellor is elected by the Bundestag on the proposal of the Federal President. The Chancellor and ministers were compelled to resign in the event the Volkstag passed a vote of no confidence.

The judicial authority is vested in the judges. It is exercised by the Federal Constitutional Court (reform of 1925), by the Supreme Federal Court, by the Federal courts provided for by the Constitution and by the courts of the Länder.