Legislation
Lawmaking is an important tool for guiding public policy and is also a process of societal communication. The lawmaking process is conducted according to rules set out in the constitution and in the rules of procedure of the constitutional bodies.
In a parliamentary democracy, making laws is the responsibility of the legislative branch: the parliament. At federal level, most new legislation is drafted by the Federal Government, to be passed by the German Bundestag with the consent of the Bundesrat. After it is signed into law by the Federal President, new legislation is finalised and published in the Federal Law Gazette. In case of doubt, the Federal Constitutional Court decides whether federal laws comply with the Basic Law.
When drafting proposals for laws, the Federal Government always pays attention to the principles of better regulation so that, from the very beginning, legislation is always considered in terms of its impact on society as a whole. The actual, legal and financial effects of new legislation are taken into account, along with how it fits into the overall legal order. Arguments for and against the proposed provisions are also considered. Lawmakers try to find the best possible balance among the differing interests within the required framework.
