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


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Preamble:

The German people, united in all their racial elements, and inspired by the will to renew and strengthen their Reich in liberty and justice, to preserve peace at home and abroad and to foster social progress, have established the following constitution:

CHAPTER I: STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE REICH

Section I: Reich and States

ARTICLE 1
The German Reich is a Republic. Political authority emanates from the people.

ARTICLE 2
The territory of the Reich consists of the territories of the German member states. [ . . . ]

ARTICLE 3
The Reich colors are black, red, and gold. The merchant flag is black, white, and red, with the Reich colors in the upper inside corner

ARTICLE 4
The generally accepted rules of international law are to be considered as binding integral parts of the German Reich.

ARTICLE 5
Political authority is exercised in national affairs by the national government in accordance with the Constitution of the Reich, and in state affairs by the state governments in accordance with the constitutions.

[ . . . ]

ARTICLE 12
Insofar as the Reich does not exercise its jurisdiction, such jurisdiction remains with the states with the exception of cases in which the Reich possesses exclusive jurisdiction. [ . . . ]

ARTICLE 17
Every state must have a republican constitution. The representatives of the people must be elected by universal, equal, direct, and secret suffrage of all German citizens, both men and women, in accordance with the principles of proportional representation. [ . . . ]

Section II: The Reichstag

ARTICLE 20
The Reichstag is composed of the delegates of the German people.

ARTICLE 21
The delegates are representatives of the whole people. They are subject only to their own conscience and are not bound by any instructions.

ARTICLE 22
The delegates are elected by universal, equal, direct, and secret suffrage by men and women over twenty years of age, according to the principle of proportional representation. Election day must be a Sunday or a public holiday.
[ . . . ]

ARTICLE 23
The Reichstag is elected for four years. New elections must take place at the latest on the sixtieth day after this term has run its course. [ . . . ]

ARTICLE 32
For decisions of the Reichstag a simple majority vote is necessary, unless the Constitution prescribes another proportion of votes. [ . . . ]

ARTICLE 33
The Reichstag and its committees may require the presence of the Reich Chancellor and every Reich Minister. [ . . . ]

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