“Petrification principle” is taking effect: What can Merkel's government still enforce now?

Angela Merkel will soon have to get used to a completely different everyday life.

Until she leaves the Chancellor's stage, she has duties.

Berlin - The public does not know what exactly went on in Angela Merkel on Tuesday. Was it liberating for her, was she happy to receive the certificate of discharge from Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier? Or is she sad after 16 years as chancellor? One thing is clear: after she received her certificate on Tuesday (October 26th), she quickly ran away to her seat. But she had to go back: posing for the camera. Because it's not over for them yet.

Chancellor Merkel is still in office with her government.

The new Bundestag was constituted on Tuesday, but a new Chancellor has not yet been elected by parliament.

The traffic light parties SPD, Greens and FDP are currently negotiating a coalition agreement.

In the week from December 6, Merkel could then have to leave the Chancellery - if the potential governing parties stick to their tight schedule.

Video: Steinmeier dismisses Merkel from office - Chancellor hurries away

Officially, Merkel's term of office is over.

This is regulated in Article 69 of the Basic Law.

If everything goes according to plan, Germany could probably have a caretaker government for about six weeks.

Merkel is only in office in a managerial position: competencies remain largely the same

In principle, the competencies of the members of the government remain largely unchanged. A caretaker government can still introduce laws to the Bundestag and even submit a draft budget. However, it no longer has a coalition in the Bundestag behind it that would adopt these drafts. However, ministers can still issue ordinances and administrative regulations.

But not everything is the same as before: The Executive Chancellor cannot ask a question of confidence.

A vote of no confidence by the newly elected Bundestag against a managing chancellor is also excluded.

The executive head of government is also no longer allowed to exchange ministers.

If a minister leaves for health reasons, his duties are taken over by other members of the government.

The so-called “petrification principle” takes effect.

"Petrification principle": Government largely holds back until a new one is appointed

The FDP, namely Marco Buschmann, Parliamentary Managing Director, has already warned the government to exercise political restraint.

There is consensus that the ministers and their boss should no longer make decisions that would bind a successor government.

This also applies to foreign policy.

Theoretically, the executive cabinet can rule for several months.

There is no deadline within which a new Federal Chancellor has to be elected by the Bundestag.

The longest period with an executive government came after the 2017 federal election. It lasted almost five months.