Constitution of Bavaria

The Constitution of the free state of Bavaria was enacted on 8 December 1946. The new bavarian Constitution became the basis for the new Bavarian State after the 2nd World War.

It is the fourth constitutional document of the State of Bavaria in the bavarian history of constitution after the Constitution of 1808, the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1818 and the Bamberg Constitution of 1919.

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The first state elections after the 2nd World War were held on 30 June 1946, when 180 delegates were chosen. The main task of those delegates was to draft a new Bavarian constitution. The new constitution was accepted by a public vote on 1 December 1946, the same day the first bavarian parliament after the 2nd World War was elected.[1]

The Constitution of the free State of Bavaria regulates the independence of the free State (Republic) as a land of the Federal Republic of Germany. On 26 October 1946, it was decided by the National Assembly. After a statement of the Council of Ministers of 4 December, she joined with its publication in the bavarian law-paper on 8 December 1946 in force.

The Bavarian Constitution is divided into four main parts and contains a total of 188 articles. In the first three articles, it is set that Bayern is a free State, that authority emanates from the people and that Bavaria is a legal, cultural and social State.

The Constitution can be changed only in the way of legislation (article 75). Resolutions of the Parliament to amend the Constitution must be submitted to the people for a decision.

Preambel

Constitution of the Free State of Bavaria 2nd December 1946 as last amended by the act of 10th November 2003 Mindful of the physical devastation which the survivors of the 2nd World War were led into by a godless state and social order lacking in all conscience or respect for human dignity, firmly intending moreover to secure permanently for future German generations the blessing of Peace, Humanity and Law, and looking back over a thousand years and more of history, the Bavarian people hereby bestows upon itself the following Democratic Constitution.[2]

Pillar of the (first bavarian) constitution, Volkach-Gaibach, Lower Franconia, Bavaria

Article 1 Free state, Land colours, Land coat of arms

Article 2 people's state

Article 3 Law, Culture and social state

References

  1. History of the Bavarian parliament
  2. 2.0 2.1 Bavarian constitution