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The Constitution of the German Empire of August 11, 1919 (Weimar Constitution)

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Section IV: The Reichsrat

ARTICLE 60
A Reichsrat is formed to give the German states representation in the law-making and administration of the Reich.

ARTICLE 61
Each state has at least one vote in the Reichsrat. In the case of the larger states one votes shall be assigned for every million inhabitants.* [ . . . ] No single state shall have more than two fifths of the total number of votes. [ . . . ]

ARTICLE 63
The states shall be represented in the Reichsrat by members of their governments. [ . . . ]

Section V: Reich Leglislation

ARTICLE 68
Bills are introduced by the Reich cabinet, with the concurrence of the Reichsrat, or by members of the Reichstag.

Reich laws shall be enacted by the Reichstag.

[ . . . ]

ARTICLE 73
A law of the Reichstag must be submitted to popular referendum before its proclamation, if the Reich President, within one month of its passage, so decides. [ . . . ]

ARTICLE 74
The Reichsrat may protest against laws passed by the Reichstag. [ . . . ] In case of such protest [ . . . ], the law is returned to the Reichstag, which may override the objection by a two-thirds majority. The Reich President must either promulgate the law within three months or call for a referendum.

[ . . . ]

ARTICLE 76
The Constitution may be amended by law, but acts amending the Constitution can only take effect if two thirds of the legal number of members are present and at least two thirds of those present consent.

[ . . . ]


* Amended by law of March 24, 1921, to “every 700,000 inhabitants.”

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