Topic summary

Reichsrat (Germany)

Reichsrat (Germany)

The Reichsrat (German:, 'Reich Council') was a legislative body during the Weimar Republic. The Reichsrat's members were appointed by the German state governments to represent their interests in the legislation and administration of the nation at the federal level. Its powers were relatively limited, making it considerably weaker than its predecessor, the Bundesrat of the German Empire (1871–1918). It could introduce legislation for the popularly elected Reichstag to consider and veto laws that it passed, but the vetoes could be overridden. The Reichsrat also played a role in administering and implementing Reich laws.

After the Nazi Party took control of Germany in 1933, they centralized all power, including that of the states. The Reichsrat no longer had a function to perform and was abolished by law on 14 February 1934.