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Bundestag Document 21/149: Motion Filed on Calculating Staff for Parliamentary Groups
BERLIN, Germany – A new official document concerning the internal workings of the German Bundestag was published on May 13, 2025, at 10:00 AM CEST. Known as Drucksache 21/149, this paper is formally titled “Antrag Bestimmung des Verfahrens für die Berechnung der Stellenanteile der Fraktionen,” which translates to “Motion: Determination of the procedure for calculating the staff shares of parliamentary groups.”
This document signals a formal proposal put forward within the parliament regarding a fundamental administrative process: how the staffing resources allocated to the political groups (Fraktionen) within the Bundestag are determined and distributed.
Understanding Parliamentary Groups and Staffing
In the German parliamentary system, Fraktionen (parliamentary groups) are the bedrock of legislative work. They are formed by parties (or alliances of parties) represented in the Bundestag that meet certain criteria, primarily a minimum number of seats (typically 5% of the total Members of Parliament). These groups play a crucial role in shaping legislation, conducting debates, and holding the government accountable.
To effectively carry out their extensive duties – which include policy research, drafting legislation, preparing debates, managing internal party coordination, and communicating with the public – parliamentary groups are allocated staff. These staff members are employees of the respective Fraktion, funded ultimately by the state budget via the Bundestag’s resources. The size of the staff allocated to each group is a significant factor in its operational capacity and influence.
The allocation of these resources, particularly the number of staff positions (Stellenanteile), is not arbitrary. It is governed by rules and principles designed to ensure fairness and proportionality, typically based on the size and responsibilities of each group. A clear and transparent procedure for calculating these staff shares is essential for the effective functioning of the parliament.
The Significance of Document 21/149
Drucksache 21/149 is an “Antrag” (Motion). This means it is a formal proposal submitted by members or a group within the Bundestag, asking the parliament to take a specific action or make a specific decision.
The motion specifically addresses the “determination of the procedure for calculating the staff shares.” This suggests that the document aims to establish, clarify, or perhaps adjust the method, formula, or rules used to figure out exactly how many staff positions each Fraktion is entitled to. It’s less about the total amount of money or staff available to all groups collectively (though the procedure might indirectly affect this) and more about how that allocation is divided up among the individual groups.
Why Might Such a Motion Be Necessary?
While the specific details and justification for this particular motion will only become fully clear upon reviewing the document itself, motions concerning parliamentary procedures and resources can arise for various reasons:
- Clarity and Transparency: To formalize an existing practice or make the calculation method more explicit and understandable.
- Adaptation to Changes: To account for changes in the parliamentary landscape, such as the number of Fraktionen, the entry of new parties, or significant shifts in representation.
- Legal Challenges or Interpretations: To respond to court rulings (e.g., from the Federal Constitutional Court) that might require changes or clarifications to the funding or staffing rules for parliamentary groups.
- Efficiency or Modernization: To update outdated procedures or improve the efficiency of resource allocation.
The exact trigger and the specific proposed procedure are contained within the full text of the motion.
What Happens Next?
As a formal motion, Drucksache 21/149 will now enter the standard parliamentary process. This typically involves:
- Referral: The motion is usually referred to one or more relevant parliamentary committees for detailed review and deliberation (e.g., the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union, the Budget Committee, or the Committee on the Rules of Procedure and Immunities).
- Committee Deliberation: The committees examine the proposal, potentially hold hearings or discussions, and prepare a recommendation for the plenary (the full assembly of all MPs).
- Plenary Debate: The motion is debated in the plenary session of the Bundestag.
- Vote: Finally, the Bundestag votes on the motion. If approved, it becomes a decision or directive of the parliament.
Accessing the Document
The full text of Drucksache 21/149, including the specific proposed procedure and the justification provided by the submitting body (e.g., a Fraktion or a group of MPs), is available on the official Bundestag document server.
Readers interested in understanding the precise content of this motion and its potential implications for the organization and functioning of the Bundestag should consult the document directly via the provided link:
https://dserver.bundestag.de/btd/21/001/2100149.pdf
The publication of this document highlights the ongoing attention within the German Bundestag to ensuring that its internal processes, including the allocation of vital resources like staff, are determined through clear, formal procedures that are debated and decided upon by the elected representatives.
21/149: Antrag Bestimmung des Verfahrens für die Berechnung der Stellenanteile der Fraktionen (PDF)
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The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini:
At 2025-05-13 10:00, ’21/149: Antrag Bestimmung des Verfahrens für die Berechnung der Stellenanteile der Fraktionen (PDF)’ was published according to Drucksachen. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-understand manner. Please answer in English.
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