Chapter XII: Section IV: The Reichsrat

ARTICLE 60.[25]

A Reichsrat shall be formed in order to represent the German Lands in the legislation and administration of the Realm.

ARTICLE 61.

Each Land shall have at least one vote in the Reichsrat. In the case of the larger Lands there shall be one vote per million inhabitants. Any excess over a million not less than the total number of the inhabitants of the smallest State shall be reckoned as a full million. No Land may have more than two-fifths of the total number of votes.[26]

German-Austria shall, after it has joined the German Realm, have the right to participate in the Reichsrat with such votes as correspond to its population. Until that time the representatives of German-Austria shall have an advisory voice.[27]

The number of votes shall be determined afresh by the Reichsrat after each general census.

ARTICLE 62.

No Land may have more than one vote on Committees formed by the Reichsrat.

ARTICLE 63.

The Lands shall be represented in the Reichsrat by members of their Governments. But one-half of the Prussian votes shall be held by the Prussian provincial administrations; and further provision therefor will be made by Prussian legislation.[28]

ARTICLE 64.

The Government of the Realm is bound to summon the Reichsrat should one-third of the members of the Reichsrat demand it.

ARTICLE 65.

A member of the Government of the Realm shall preside over the meetings of the Reichsrat. The members of the Government of the Realm may take part in the proceedings of the Reichsrat and of its Committees; they are bound to do so if summoned. They are entitled to be heard at their request at any time of the proceedings.

ARTICLE 66.

The Government of the Realm, and also each member of the Reichsrat may propose resolutions there.

The Reichsrat shall regulate its procedure by Standing Orders.

The plenary sessions of the Reichsrat are public. Publicity may be suspended by standing order in particular discussions.

The voting shall be decided by simple majority.

ARTICLE 67.

The Reichsrat shall be kept informed of the course of current business by the Ministers. The competent Committees of the Reichsrat shall be consulted by the Ministers in matters of importance.