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Political ‑
Population of 82 million 2005
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Most populous
country in Europe (except for Russia)
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Rate of population
increase is zero (immigration just offsets natural decline)
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1/3 Catholic, 1/3
Protestant
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Parliamentary
Democracy - Federal system, 16 lander
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Republic with
President elected for 5 year term by collegial system (state & federal
legislators). Currently Horst Koehler
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Upper house
(Bundesrat) has 69 seats, each state with 3-6 depending on population. Must vote as block. Chosen by state governments
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Lower House
(Bundestag) has 613 seats, combination of proportional and direct
representation
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Some legislation can
only be blocked in upper house by 2/3 vote (e.g. budget) but other
legislation require majority in both houses, including most labor and
employment legislation
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In course rank
behind only Sweden and Britain in corruption index 2004
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