Politics of North Rhine-Westphalia

The politics of North Rhine-Westphalia takes place within a framework of a federal parliamentary representative democratic republic.

[1] In consultation with the Ältestenrat, the President of the Landtag places the draft bill on the plenary session's agenda.

[1] Preparations for the expert committees also take place in the parliamentary party working groups.

[1] The draft bill is examined down to the last detail in a small group, before appearing for a second time on the agenda of the plenary session, when it is debated afresh on the basis of the committee report.

[1] In this Second Reading, once members have decided which tabled amendments to accept, it is usual for the final vote concerning the law to take place.

[1] For other proposed legislation, a parliamentary party or a quarter of all members of parliament can apply for there to be a Third Reading and, if necessary, further committee consultations.

[1] Since the establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany, the election results in the state have been: Cologne Administrative District