European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 23, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The foundation of the Federal re pubs of Germany 1949 when Germany surrendered in 1945 at the end of world War ii the allies the United states England France and the soviet Union assumed authority Over the country with each country occupying a different zone. They agreed at the Potsdam conference in 1945 to work to unite the four zones under a democratic government. In 1948, the ., eng land and France authorized a constitutional convention to establish the Federal Republic but the soviet Union did not relinquish the East and has maintained control Over All of this part of Germany except West Berlin. As a result Germany is a divided country actually two co unifies. West Germany and East Germany Deutsche Democrat acne Republic Der Are separated by a heavily guarded 85b mile Border which becomes a Wall through Ber Lin. East Germany is half the size and has one fourth the population of West Germany. East Berlin is the capital of the communist country which is under the control of the soviet Union to a Large extent. The constitutional convention of 1948 that established the Republic of Germany also set up the German parliamentary Council which consisted of 65 elected deputies from the eleven West German slates. This Council adopted the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany in May 1949, and the state parliaments approved the Basic Taw that same month. During 1949, the Federal governmental institutions which exist today were established. It was six years however until the occupying Powers gave up All of their authority. Through the Paris treaties the Federal Republic of Germany gained its sovereignly on May 5, 1955. At that time ambassadors replaced the Allied High commissioners of the United Stales England and France. There Are Many germans in the West and the East who Hope for the eventual reunification of the two Germany. Since the mid seventies however germans have been Able to preserve their feeling of National togetherness through reunions with family and friends. These visits Are held mostly in the East since the East germans allow More West germans in than they allow East germans out. As stated by or. Fabian von sch Abendorff a former member of the Federal constitutional court the idea of a unified Ger Man nation is by no Means  the National government in West Germany West Germany is a constitutional democracy in which the Titi runs Fai least 18 years old elect their representatives. The German parliament is similar to our Congress in some ways. Parliament has two houses the bundestag the Federal diet or lower House and the bundesrat the Federal Council or upper House. The bundestag has 496 deputies who serve four year elected terms and 22 non voting appointed members from West Berlin. The bundesrat a 45 members including four from West Berlin who Are appointed by the state governments they represent. The number of Burk Desrat members each state has is based on its population. The bundestag passes the Laws but most legis lation requires the approval of the bundesrat before becoming Law. The bundestag also chooses the head of the government the Federal Chancellor who is a member of the strongest political party. The bundestag also decides when to remove a Chan cellar and elects a replacement. The Federal Chancellor selects members of his Cabinet and the Heads of the various government departments in much the same Way As our presi Dent selects members of the  Executive Branch of government. The Federal president is the head of state and As such has mainly ceremonial responsibilities. The president serves a five year term upon elec Tion by the bundestag and state electors. The Federal constitutional court is composed of fudges half of whom Are elected by the bundestag and half by the bundesrat. The Constitution called the Basic Law com Gesetz includes four principles which govern the state order. 1. The democratic principle Means that the people Are Sovereign and exercise state Power indirectly through elected representatives. 2. The principle of the us abiding tale Means that All state actions Are subject to Law and Justice. This is implemented through the division of Powers of the executive legislative and judicial branches. 3. The principle of the social welfare it obliges the state to protect the socially weaker and implement social Justice. 4. The principle of federa Jum enables regional differences to be taken into account. The first 17 articles of the Basic Law list the main Basic rights and include Freedom of Faith and Creed of expression Assembly and move ment postal privacy the right to property the right to conscientiously refuse military service and the Equality of men and women. It is obvious that the authors of the Basic Law in 1949 sought to avoid the situations which had allowed Law and human dignity to be violated and had led to the collapse of previous German governments. The Basic Law has withstood the test for almost four decades and remains a viable basis for West Germany s stable democratic government. Legal holidays in Germany Germany and the United slates have Only two Legal holidays in common Christmas Day and new year s Day. On each of the other american holidays German stores and businesses Are open. Twelve holidays including Christmas Day and new year s Day Are observed throughout Ger Many another six Are observed by from one to almost All of the German states. On these Days germans Are off work and out of school. Americans need to know when German holi Days Are observed in order to plan accordingly for shopping and business transactions on the Economy. Time schedules for Public transportation also vary on holidays Ife Berlage from their usual workday times and frequency of operation. Laws and regulations such As those regarding quiet hours and work in Public areas apply to holidays As they do to sundays. So while it May be just another workday to you your German neighbors Are observing in Many cases a religious Holiday. Wick cent to Cornu or new year s Day. January 1 Neujahr three King s Day. January 6  Rote monday. 42 Days before easier us. Personnel and their families Are affected by German holidays in other ways As Well. When a Holiday Falls during the Middle of the week look Forward to much less traffic driving to and from work. On the other hand when a Holiday Falls near the weekend expect a lot More traffic on the aul Bahns and at Border Crossings at the Start and end of the Holiday weekend because germans take advantage of a three or four Day weekend to travel. Many germans work for Usa eur organizations and depending upon various policies they May take off work to observe their Legal holidays. You May find Loo that cafes concessions oper ated by germans Are closed on Legal German holidays. Signs should be posted at least a week in Advance to let you know when a shop or service will be closed. American express banking facilities Are closed on German holidays and open on  Holidays. The following list summarizes the German holidays. Good Friday. Friday before easter Kar Freitag easter. Sunday after the fint full Moon in Spring Toi Tern Between much 22 and april 25 easier monday. The Day after easter labor Day. May 1 in november repentance Day. The wednesday usually Between Bois und bating november in and 22 Chris thus holidays. December 25 and 26 not celebrated in a Sra Roi in Germany thursday april 23,19b7 paid special insert to the stars and stripes Page Dell