Politics

Berlin is the national capital of Germany and its largest city, with 3,416,255 inhabitants (as of December 2007).
On the day of German reunification, October 3, 1990 Berlin became an independent city-state like Hamburg and Bremen. Reunited Federal Germany consists of a total of 16 federal states, known as Länder. Berlin is subdivided into 12 administrative districts called Bezirke, which were amalgamated from the earlier 23 administrative units with effect from January 1, 2001.

Berlin is both Germany’s capital and one of the country’s 16 federal states (Länder). The city is committed to its role as host and partner to the federal government’s institutions and the other Länder, as well as to diplomatic missions, the media, organizations and associations. The Governing Mayor of Berlin holds the city’s highest office and is also the federal state’s premier. more »

Berlin is governed by a Regierender Bürgermeister ("Governing Mayor"), who is Mayor of the city and head of the Bundesland at the same time. Presently, this office is held by Klaus Wowereit. more »

Seat of the Federal Government, Berlin is the political crossroad of German national, regional and local politics. more »

The state government consists of
• the Governing Mayor, Klaus Wowereit (SPD)
• 8 Senators

The House of Representatives is elected every five years. It elects the Governing Mayor, who appoints the other members of the Senate. Next elections will be held in the end of 2011.

Senators of the current state government:

• Mayor and Senator for Economics, Technology and Women’s Issues Harald Wolf (DIE LINKE.)
• Senator for Justice Gisela von der Aue (SPD)
• Senator for Education, Science and Research Prof. Dr. E. Jürgen Zöllner (SPD)
• Senator for the Interior and Sport Dr. Ehrhart Körting (SPD)
• Senator for Health, Environment and Consumer Protection Katrin Lompscher (DIE LINKE.)
• Senator for Integration, Labour and Social Issues Carola Bluhm (DIE LINKE.)
• Senator for Finance Dr. Ulrich Nussbaum (impartially)
• Mayor and Senator for Urban Development Ingeborg Junge-Reyer (SPD)
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The Governing Mayor determines the general guidelines of government policy, which must be approved by the House of Representatives, and monitors their observance by the members of the Senate.

The seat of the Governing Mayor and the Senate Chancellery is Berliner Rathaus (Berlin´s City Hall).

Berlin maintains partnerships with 17 cities and cooperates in projects with many other cities around the world such as Copenhagen, Helsinki, Johannesburg, Shanghai, Seoul, Sofia, Sydney and Vienna. more »