,,Encrusted"German Constitution to be Centralised

BERLIN/PARIS (Own report) A grand coalition of government and opposition parties is preparing to increase the centralisation of the German state structure. The aim is the streamlining of the federal system because ,,much decision making (...) is seen as too long and too complicated". To achieve the desired new hierarchy the German constitution must be altered. The present, many-layered structure is designed to frustrate the return of a dictatorial or expansionist government. Whilst Berlin centralises, German foreign policy demands ever further-reaching decentralisation in the state structures of its neighbours. Such plans for regionalisation have aroused resistance in France.

In a paper of 8 July by the the Social Democrat parliamentary party ( ,,Modernisation of the Federal Order") it is suggested that preparations for the alteration of the German constitution should begin in Autumn 2003. The responsibilities of the different levels of administration should be ,,more clearly defined than before".

In particular, this is concerned with higher levels of authority for central state activities which are more and more weighted towards other countries. This is called ,,World internal policy"(Weltinnenpolitik). By this, restrictive and superfluous areas of activity would be delegated downwards as part of ,,subsidiarity". The two largest opposition parties (Christian Democrats and Christian Social Union) are already in basic agreement as the constitutional changes have already been under discussion for several months.

Federalism ,,restrictive"

On 18 June it was said in the Bundestag that the German constitution was admittedly ,,part of the success story of West Germany from 1949-1989". Nonetheless Social Democrat parliamentarians believe that it is no longer up to date. ,,In the meantime there are faults and encrustations which increasingly frustrate the solution of the economic and political problems of our time."

... but only in Germany

Whilst the ,,long and complicated"paths of decision making between central and subordinate authorities need ,,modernising"in Germany, Berlin regards them as ,,closer to the citizens"or ,,democratic"when abroad. Several German foreign policy front orgnisations are concentrating their efforts on France where they call the central state ,,anachronistic". In the European Parliament especially German MEPs demand that the continent should be reconstructed in ,,Regions"in a ,,Federal Order".

Protests in France

The French government has now complied with German demands and brought in far-reaching laws for regionalisation. These transfer many areas of state competence to lower levels. This has provoked protests in France which are to be express in a large demonstration in Paris, planned for 20 September.

See also earlier article ,,National Co-ordination"of the German Secret Services

Sources:
Paper by Chairman of the Social Dmocrat Parliamentary Party ov 8 July 2003
Protocol of 51st session of the German Bundestag, 15. Voting period 18 June 2003
Appeal for the unity and indivisibility of the French Republic Communique No.1


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