State Parliament of Saxony

State Parliament of Saxony is the Landtag of the Free State of Saxony, a federal state of Germany. The parliament is located in the Dresden Castle and has its roots in the Diet of Saxony, which was established in the 14th century by the Margraviate of Meissen and the Electorate of Saxony. The current parliament was established in 1990, after German reunification, and is composed of members from various parties, including the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, Social Democratic Party of Germany, and Alternative for Germany. The parliament works closely with the Ministry of Justice and for Democracy, Europe and Equality of the State of Saxony and the Saxon State Ministry of the Interior.

● History

The history of the State Parliament of Saxony dates back to the Holy Roman Empire, when the Duchy of Saxony was a major power. The parliament was influenced by the Reformation and the Thirty Years' War, which had a significant impact on the Electorate of Saxony and the Kingdom of Saxony. In the 19th century, the parliament was part of the North German Confederation and later the German Empire, with notable figures such as Otto von Bismarck and Wilhelm II, German Emperor playing a role in its development. After World War I, the parliament was part of the Weimar Republic, and during World War II, it was dissolved by the Nazi Party. The current parliament was established in 1990, with the first elections taking place on October 14, 1990, and has since worked with the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany and the Bundestag.

● Composition

The State Parliament of Saxony is composed of 119 members, who are elected by the people of Saxony for a term of five years. The members are divided into several parties, including the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, Social Democratic Party of Germany, Alternative for Germany, and the Left Party (Germany). The parliament also has several committees, such as the Committee on European Affairs and the Committee on Budget and Finance, which work with the European Union and the Federal Ministry of Finance (Germany). The members of the parliament are supported by the Saxon State Chancellery and the Ministry of Science, Culture and Tourism of the State of Saxony.

● Powers and Functions

The State Parliament of Saxony has several powers and functions, including the election of the Minister-President of Saxony and the approval of the state budget. The parliament also has the power to pass laws, such as the Saxon Higher Education Act, and to exercise parliamentary control over the Saxon State Government. The parliament works closely with the Federal Council of Germany and the Bundestag to ensure that the interests of Saxony are represented at the federal level. The parliament also cooperates with the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union on matters related to the European Union.

● Elections

The elections to the State Parliament of Saxony are held every five years, with the most recent elections taking place on September 1, 2019. The elections are conducted using a mixed-member proportional representation system, with 60 members elected by single-member constituencies and 59 members elected by party lists. The elections are overseen by the Saxon State Electoral Office and the Federal Electoral Committee. The results of the elections are influenced by various factors, including the European migrant crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, and are closely watched by the German Federal Election Commissioner and the European Commission.

● Presidents

The President of the State Parliament of Saxony is the presiding officer of the parliament and is responsible for its administration. The current President is Matthias Rößler, who has been in office since 2014. Previous Presidents include Ernst Wilhelm Meister and Karl Weise, who played a significant role in shaping the parliament's history. The President works closely with the Minister-President of Saxony and the Saxon State Government to ensure the smooth functioning of the parliament and the state government. The President also represents the parliament in its relations with the Bundestag and the Federal Council of Germany.