Bundestag, Comparative Law, Criminal Law, Evidence, Murder, Police and Prosecutors, Soering, True Crime

Marcus Vetter and Georg Zengerling in 2016: 18 Minutes, 16 Mistakes/Falsehoods

Allmystery (g) unearthed another gem from 2016, an 18-minute German-language promotional interview with Marcus Vetter, co-director of "Killing for Love", and the cinematographer on the movie, Georg Zengerling. The interview was conducted by a journalist named Deborah Ravell, as part of the series "Close to the Action". This was 2016, before anyone had taken a… Continue reading Marcus Vetter and Georg Zengerling in 2016: 18 Minutes, 16 Mistakes/Falsehoods

Bundestag, Constitutional Law, Election Law, Federal Constitutional Court

What to Do About Germany’s Ever-Expanding Parliament?

The lower house of Germany's federal parliament, the Bundestag, now has 709 members, making it the second-largest parliament in the world. This is over 100 more members than the 598 seats Germany's voting laws formally provide for. Why is the Bundestag growing? To understand this, you have to understand German federal election law. Here's a… Continue reading What to Do About Germany’s Ever-Expanding Parliament?

Basic Rights, Bundestag, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Federal Constitutional Court

A “Justice Offensive” to Legalize Marijuana in Germany

The German Hemp Federation (GHF), a German marijuana-legalization lobby, has started what it calls a "justice offensive" (g) to convince the German Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) to declare laws against marijuana unconstitutional. The current state of play in Germany is that it is illegal nationwide, under § 29 (g) of the Narcotics Law, to possess… Continue reading A “Justice Offensive” to Legalize Marijuana in Germany

Bundestag, Federal Constitutional Court, Public Law

Can the Bundestag pass laws with 85% of its Members Absent? The Answer May Shock You.

A recent dispute involving the German federal parliament, the Bundestag, has highlighted a quirk of German parliamentary practice: The Bundestag sometimes passes laws when the vast majority of its 709 current members aren't there. This quirk became a political theme on June 28, 2019, when the Bundestag held a marathon session before its summer break.… Continue reading Can the Bundestag pass laws with 85% of its Members Absent? The Answer May Shock You.