Page:The Bonn Constitution (Basic Law FRG 1949).pdf/28

 THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

The Federal Government shall consist of the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Ministers.

(1) The Federal Chancellor shall be elected, without discussion, by the Bundestag on the proposal of the Federal President.

(2) The person who has received the votes of the majority of the members of the Bundestag shall be elected. He shall be appointed by the Federal President.

(3) If the person nominated is not elected, the Bundestag may, within fourteen days after the ballot, elect a Federal Chancellor by more than one half of its members.

(4) If the Federal Chancellor is not elected within this time limit a new ballot shall take place immediately, in which the person who receives most votes shall be elected. If the person elected receives the votes of the majority of the members of the Bundestag the Federal President must, within 7 days after the election, appoint him. If the person elected does not obtain this majority the Federal President must, within seven days, either appoint him or dissolve the Bundestag.

(1) The Federal Ministers shall be appointed and dismissed by the Federal President upon the proposal of the Federal Chancellor.

(2) The Federal Chancellor and the Federal Ministers, on assuming office, shall take before the Bundestag the oath provided in Article 56. 839448-49-4