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Germany's Basic Law

The Basic Law is the Federal Republic of Germany's constitution, which came into effect in May 1949.

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Reports & Analysis

Media cover the sculpture "Bundespraesident Frank-Walter Steinmeier 1:5" during the press preview of an exhibition of contemporary art.

Media cover the sculpture "Bundespraesident Frank-Walter Steinmeier 1:5" during the press preview of an exhibition of contemporary art.

Sex doll art sparks debate at German president's residence

Sex doll art sparks debate at German president's residence

Artworks explore political power at an exhibition held at Bellevue Palace before it closes for renovation.

German army recruits dressed in fatigues carrying weapons, walking through a wooded area, in a training exercise

German army recruits dressed in fatigues carrying weapons, walking through a wooded area, in a training exercise

Germany's 'rapid militarization' threatens basic rights

Germany's 'rapid militarization' threatens basic rights

Security interests are increasingly being prioritized over fundamental rights, in the view of 10 human rights groups.

Picture of two children building a sandcastle on a beach

Picture of two children building a sandcastle on a beach

Germany's strangest laws: Why dancing can get you fined

Germany's strangest laws: Why dancing can get you fined

From dance and movie bans during the Easter period to sandcastle prohibitions, Germany has some bizarre regulations.

Signs and a flag in front of the German Bundestag building

Signs and a flag in front of the German Bundestag building

What is Germany's debt brake?

What is Germany's debt brake?

To allow increased defense and infrastructure spending, Germany's next government may ease the so-called debt brake.

Judges at Germany's Federal Constitutional Court dressed in dressed in red robes taking their seats at the court in Karlsruhe, on January 23, 2024

Judges at Germany's Federal Constitutional Court dressed in dressed in red robes taking their seats at the court in Karlsruhe, on January 23, 2024

Germany moves to protect top court against far right

Germany moves to protect top court against far right

As far-right populists gain ground in Germany, the Bundestag has now voted to protect Germany's Constitutional Court.

Olaf Scholz walks outside, looking sideways at the camera

Olaf Scholz walks outside, looking sideways at the camera

What next for Germany after government collapse? A timeline

What next for Germany after government collapse? A timeline

With the collapse of the fractious governing coalition, Germany faces an early election. DW explains the next steps.

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In the spotlight

Two men dressed in rainbow shirts march at the Berlin Pride Parade in Berlin, holding up protest signs

Two men dressed in rainbow shirts march at the Berlin Pride Parade in Berlin, holding up protest signs

LGBTQ+ rights in Germany: Protected in the constitution?

Germany wants to add the protection of sexual identity into the constitution, but conservative lawmakers are opposed.

A young woman stands in front of Germany's Reichstag, speaking to the camera

A young woman stands in front of Germany's Reichstag, speaking to the camera

75 years of Germany's Basic Law: Cornerstone of democracy

DW's Hannah Hummel visits the Reichstag, the seat of the German parliament, where the country's laws are made.

Grundgesetz und Spritzen

Grundgesetz und Spritzen

Germany's Basic Law ensures 'Well Fortified' Democracy

German democracy was born after the Nazi era. It aims to prevent a recurrence of that dark time.

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