Constitution of Bavaria

The Constitution of the Free State of Bavaria was enacted on 8 December 1946. It is the fourth constitutional document in Bavarian history after the Constitution of 1808, the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1818 and the Bamberg Constitution of 1919.

Presentation medal of the Bavarian Parliament (Bayerische Ständeversammlung) 1819 to their King Maximilian I Joseph, on the first anniversary of the constitution of 1818, obverse.
Presentation medal of the Bavarian Parliament (Bayerische Ständeversammlung) 1819 to their King Maximilian I Joseph, on the first anniversary of the constitution of 1818, reverse.
Bavaria
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The first state elections after the 2nd World War were held on 30 June 1946, when 180 delegates were chosen. The main task of those delegates was to draft a new Bavarian constitution. The new constitution was accepted by a public vote on 1 December 1946, the same day the first Bavarian Parliament after the 2nd World War was elected.[1]

The Constitution of the free State of Bavaria regulates the independence of the free State (Republic) as a land of the Federal Republic of (Germany). On 26 October 1946, it was decided by the National Assembly. After a statement of the Council of Ministers of 4 December, she joined with its publication in the bavarian law-paper on 8 December 1946 in force.

The Bavarian Constitution is divided into four main parts and contains a total of 188 articles. In the first three articles, it is set that Bavaria is a free State, that authority emanates from the people and that Bavaria is a legal, cultural and social State.

The Constitution can be changed only in the way of legislation (article 75). Resolutions of the Parliament to amend the Constitution must be submitted to the people for a decision.

Preamble

Constitution of the Free State of Bavaria 2 December 1946 as last amended by the act of 10 November 2003 Mindful of the physical devastation which the survivors of the 2nd World War were led into by a godless state and social order lacking in all conscience or respect for human dignity, firmly intending moreover to secure permanently for future German generations the blessing of Peace, Humanity and Law, and looking back over a thousand years and more of history, the Bavarian people hereby bestows upon itself the following Democratic Constitution.[2]

Pillar of the (first bavarian) constitution, Volkach-Gaibach, Lower Franconia, Bavaria

Article 1 Free state, Land colours, Land coat of arms
  • (1) Bavaria is a free state.
  • (2) The Land colours are white and blue.
  • (3) The Land coat of arms shall be determined by law.

Article 2 People's state
  • (1) Bavaria is a people's state. The power of the state emanates from the people.
  • (2) The people shall express their will through elections and votes. Decisions shall be arrived at by majority votes.

Article 3 Law, Culture and social state
  • (1) Bavaria is a legal, cultural and social state. It shall be dedicated to the common well-being.
  • (2) The state shall protect the natural basis of life and cultural traditions.[2]

References
  1. History of the Bavarian parliament
  2. Bavarian constitution
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