The Hamburg Rathaus Seat of the Hamburg State Parliament and the Hamburg State Administration

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THE HAMBURG RATHAUS SEAT OF THE HAMBURG STATE PARLIAMENT AND THE HAMBURG STATE ADMINISTRATION

Kalender Englisch Umschlag U1-U4.indd 1 06.06.17 20:56 The Hamburg Rathaus

Kalender Englisch Umschlag U1-U4.indd 2 06.06.17 20:57 The Hamburg Rathaus Seat of the state parliament and state administration

Welcome to Hamburg! We hope that you will Hygieia and the dragon symbolize the conque- state parliament and the Hamburg state ad- settle in well and that Hamburg will become ring of the Hamburg cholera epidemic of 1892. minstration. your second home. With this brochure, we’d In Hamburg, the state parliament is called the like to introduce you to the Hamburg Rathaus, Bürgerschaft and the state administration is the city hall. It is the seat of Hamburg’s state called the Senat. parliament and administration. Perhaps it It is at the Rathaus where issues important is comparable to similar buildings in your to you are debated and resolutions made – countries, in which the state administration housing and health issues, education issues, or state parliament have their seats. and economic issues, for example.

The Rathaus is in the middle of the city, and Please take the time to accompany us through was built more than 100 years ago, between the Hamburg Rathaus on the following pages,

1884 and 1897. With its richly decorated and learn about the work and the responsibili- commons.wikimedia.org/Brüning (gr.); Rademacher Jens Photos: façade, its width of 111 meters, its 112-meter ties of the Senat and the Bürgerschaft. tall central tower, and its 647 rooms, the On this tour we will show you the opulent and Rathaus looks a bit like a castle. richly decorated rooms of the Rathaus, with The inner courtyard of the Rathaus is also their murals, wood carvings, and much more. worth a look. It is open to the public, and These rooms are where events and receptions is an oasis of peace and relaxation in Ham- for dignitaries from countries all over the world burg’s busy city center. are hosted.

The Hygieia Fountain splashes quietly at the The city is governed from the center of the courtyard. Mythical beings, a Hamburg Rathaus Before we step through the ornate dragon, and Hygieia, the Greek goddess of Even though the Rathaus may look like a castle, cast iron front gate into the Rathaus, the health and hygiene, decorate the fountain. you’ll find no king or emperor reigning here. It next pages will explain Hamburg’s political is the workplace of the democratically elected structure.

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 1 17.04.17 23:05 View looking north over the Rathaus and the Binnenalster

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 2 17.04.17 23:05 Hamburg is Germany’s second-largest City More than 1.8 million people live here, including about 30,000 refugees

Hamburg is the second-largest city in Germa- In 2015, more than 1.1 million people fled from Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Eritrea, Pakistan, ny, with more than 1.8 million residents and an the turmoil in the Middle East to Germany. the Russian Federation, Serbia, Macedonia, and area of 755.3 km³. Around 57,000 of them have sought refuge in Kosovo. Hamburg. Hamburg was not able to accept all Just a few steps from the Rathaus is the Als- of these refugees, and places were found for To date, Hamburg has created more than ter River. Hundreds of years ago, the river was them in other German states. 31,763 refugees 39,000 places of accommodation. Of those, dammed to form the Alster Lake. Later the remained in Hamburg. Most of them are from 13,050 are in preliminary reception centers city walls divided the lake into the Binnenals- and 26,903 in subsequent housing (data from ter and the Außenalster – the inner and outer 31 December 2016). lakes. The Lombardsbrücke (Lombard Bridge), which can be seen in the background of the Information for refugees in Hamburg can be photo, was built to span the small channel that found at http://we-inform.de/portal/de/ connects the two lakes. The lakeshores are an ideal spot for pleasant strolls, and in good weather you can enjoy the sun sparkling on the water. Photos: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de (CC 3.0 BY-SA DE) v(o.); pixelio/Dieter Schütz Of the more than 1.8 million residents of Ham- burg, around 565,919 are immigrants or de- scendants of immigrants. These are people who immigrated to Germany after 1949, as well as In the past years, tens of thousands of refugees have come to Hamburg. Many citizens have lent a all of those born in Germany to at least one helping hand in making the refugees’ transition parent who was an immigrant or was born in to life in Hamburg easier. Germany as a citizen of another country.

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 3 17.04.17 23:05 Germany has 16 federal states

Schleswig-Holstein

Mecklenburg-West Pomerania

Bremen Hamburg Brandenburg

Lower Saxony Hamburg is one of the 16 federal states Berlin

Saxony-Anhalt North Rhine-Westphalia

Saxony

Thuringia Hesse

Rhineland-Palatinate

Saarland Bavaria

Baden-Württemberg

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 4 17.04.17 23:05 Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 5 The German cities of Bremen and Berlin are are Berlin and of Bremen cities German The villages. or towns other no des inclu- of Hamburg territory the that means This acity-state. is –it states German other the of most than differently structured is Hamburg acity-state is of State Hamburg Federal The Senat. the called is administration the Hamburg, In ministration. ad- astate has state Each states. 16 federal the of shows Germany, amap Above is which der, called states, of federal up made also is Germany 31 has provinces. Iran districts; administrative six has Eritrea ment; parlia- own its with region autonomous one and 18 has governorates Iraq provinces; 34 has Afghanistan cities; independent two and tricts dis- administrative or states federal nine has 14 Ethiopia has Syria governorates; example, For regions. or provinces, states, federal are there where countries from of you come Many of one them is Hamburg 16 has states. Germany federal of Germany –with aDistinction is aFederalHamburg State in the Federal Republic and Hamburg is one of them. one is Hamburg and Bundesländer. There are 16 are There Bundeslän-

tes do not have these sub-divisions. have not do these tes –city-sta- of origin country your in regions or governorates, states, like the (municipalities) Kommunen and parishes) counties, districts, have Kreise states federal Other city. of the borders the beyond nothing clude in- territories their because city-states, also victims of war and civil strife. civil and of war victims are who people those to aid humanitarian ding provi- and peace advocating includes policy Foreign policy, example. for foreign Germany’s for responsible is government federal The duties. governmental share 16of the states governments the and government federal The governments state the government and federal the between of duties Sharing is in Berlin. desregierung, Bun by the governed is of Germany Republic Federal of Germany. The Republic Federal the to form federated are states sixteen The of Germany Republic Federal into the states of all Federation the federal government. Its seat seat Its government. federal the (administrative

- at at process asylum the about information find can You policies. refugee and asylum Germany’s for responsible also is government federal The text of the Constitution on page 6. 6. page on Constitution of the text You the to laws. make the links find states can the or government federal the which for areas the specifies of Germany. article The Republic (Grundgesetz) Constitution of the 70ff Article in defined is of duties sharing The legislative responsibilities share states and Republic Federal The www.ankommenapp.de of the Federal Federal of the 3 17.04.17 23:05

Informationsgrafik: Andrea Orth Hamburg is divided into seven city districts, each with a district office

Bezirk Hamburg-Nord Kümmellstraße 5–7 Bezirk Wandsbek Schloßstraße 60 Bezirk Eimsbüttel Wandsbek Grindelberg 66

Hamburg- Eimsbüttel Nord Bezirk Altona Platz der Republik 1

Altona

Bezirk Hamburg-Mitte Hamburg-Mitte Klosterwall 8

Harburg Bergedorf

Bezirk Bergedorf Wentorfer Straße 38

Bezirk Harburg Harburger Rathausplatz 1

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 6 17.04.17 23:05 Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 7 ticular issue is located. located. is issue ticular par- your handles that office the you where tell can office main The buildings. different in be may departments and agencies Some located. are Bezirksamt of each offices main the where buildings the above shows picture The office). Bezirksamt –the administration own seven Bezirke of the Each administration District one. which you tell can residence your at management social The You districts. of these one in live Harburg. and Bergedorf, Wandsbek, burg-Nord, Ham- Eimsbüttel, Altona, Hamburg-Mitte, sevenHamburg’s Bezirke Bezirk.each showing of Hamburg amap Above is tricts. seven Bezirke into divided is Hamburg " called districts city ten into divided is It structure. asimilar has example, for Abeba, Addis city Ethiopa’s capital districts. city into Rather, divided is it communities. or towns other no has of Hamburg city-state The Each and hascouncil district adistrict office adistrict has sevenHamburg Districts in Hamburg has its its has Hamburg in subcities." are: (district (district –dis- Bezirksamt. your of at care take to you need things important you which tell can residence your at management social The renewed. have them you can where and papers, identity German your up pick you will where is this citizen, aGerman you have if become And Bezirksamt. the at Germany, married be you can To born. is in achild when marriage have alegal or apartment, you own your move into when Bezirksämter. the at do must and you can things many are There Hamburg. in of refugees integration and housing the to related issues with deal to regularly meets BezirksversammlungEach Bezirksämter. of the responsibilities the under fall that issues many about decisions makes lung vote. Bezirksversamm to The eligible are who district of the residents by the years five every Bezirksversammlung. the called is This council. democratically-elected own their have Hamburg in district of each residents The of administration the Supervision It It Bezirksamt. the supervises and advises This is where you register you register where is This has a committee that that acommittee has It is elected elected is It -

can be downloaded at at downloaded be can German) (in brochure This zirksversammlung." Be- die wählt –Ihr Bürgerschaft die wählt "Ihr the by done work the You about more learn can Bürgerschaft. Hamburg state parliament, the by the made are districts its and Hamburg of city the for Laws make laws. not do they Bezirksversammlungen buergerschaft-bezirk-senat. Bezirksversammlungen are not parliaments – parliaments not are http://www.hamburg.de/ in the brochure brochure the in Hamburgische 4 17.04.17 23:05

Photos: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creative_Commons/Daniel Schwen; Michael Zapf (5); Andrea Orth (2) Night view of the Hamburg Rathaus

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 8 17.04.17 23:06 The Federal Republic of Germany is a Democracy Hamburg is a democratic city-state

With its many lights, Hamburg is particularly lization and castration, deportation and execu- city were homeless. More than 12 million Ger- beautiful at night. The special lighting at the tion were all legal. mans from the eastern regions of the German Hamburg Rathaus lets its façade shine in a The Second World War began in 1939 when Reich and other countries in Eastern Europe warm glow. Germany invaded Poland. The German Reich were expelled. Many of them came to Hamburg. Residents of Hamburg can feel at ease and live started the war. It ended on 8 May 1945. The Even decades after the war, many signs of the in peace. Human rights are recognized, and we war begun by Hitler and his Nazi regime brought destruction could still be seen in the city. live in a democracy. Democracy means ”rule of immeasurable suffering, death, and destruc- "Russia, America, England, and France were the people.” The citizens have a voice in every- tion to large parts of Europe. There were 55 the victors in the war, and occupied the country thing that happens in their country. million casualties, of whom 5.5 million were of Germany. They divided it into four zones. In a democracy, all people have the same rights German and 50 million were citizens of other The Russian Occupation Zone later became the and responsibilities. All people may speak their nations. German Democratic Republic (East Germany), opinion (freedom of speech), may gather peace- By the end of the Second World War, half of and the three western Zones, occupied by Ame- fully (freedom of peaceful assembly), and have Hamburg lay in ruins. 900,000 people in the rica, England, and France, united to form the Photo: www.ulrike-brandi.de (o.); Staatsarchiv Hamburg, Bildarchiv the right to be informed (freedom of the press). Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany)."* Hamburg was in the western zone and thus But that wasn’t always the case became a part of the Federal Republic of Ger- Between 1933 and 1945, Germany was a dic- many, which was founded in 1949. tatorship under the National Socialist German The two countries reunified in 1989. Workers Party – the Nazi Party – with its "Führer" Adolf Hitler. All other parties were banned during this time. People who held opposing political views, homosexuals, people with disabilities, Sinti and Roma, and especially people of Jewish heritage were persecuted and murdered. Professional bans, persecution, Hamburg’s city center destroyed by bombs at the *quotation from http://www.geo.de/geolino/mensch/ end of the Second World War, 1945 9510-rtkl-von-diktatur-zur-demokratie-deutschland- confiscation of property, imprisonment, steri- nach-dem-zweiten-weltkrieg

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 9 17.04.17 23:06 Demonstration in front of the Rathaus: "Hamburg Shows its True Colors," September 2015

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 10 17.04.17 23:06 Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 11 Grundgesetz. the in down set rights fundamental by the abide must citizens All constitution. the to subject also is Republic, Federal of the part as Grundgesetz. the called is Germany of Republic Federal of the constitution The co-existence. peaceful guarantee that laws and rules be Evenmust a in there democracy, lished. estab- was 1949, in founded aconstitution was of Germany Republic Federal the When Grundgesetz the is What Germany. of Republic Federal of the Constitution – the Deutschland Bundesrepublik der Grundgesetz other rights fundamental are guaranteed by the and of expression freedom to right fundamental weapons. This without assemble peacefully may people publicly. All and freely it voice to and opinion an hold to right have the people –all well as Hamburg in thus –and Germany In racism. and exclusion mocracy, tolerance, and diversity and against de for demonstration apeaceful rally. was It a for Rathausmarkt the at gathered of Hamburg 10,000 residents 2015, than more September In German Democracy The Constitution is the Foundation of ? Hamburg, -

of all people in a nation and in a society. The The asociety. in and anation in people of all co-existence the and of individuals lives daily naturally guaranteed, and they influence the way no in are they have shown, of history (…) experiences the self-evident. As something as rights fundamental see people "Many solidarity. and justice equality, and freedom dignity, human to right have the of Germany Republic Federal the in people All orientation. sexual or lor, age, ideology, handicap, religion, co- gender, skin of their origin, because against discriminated may be person No dividual. in- self-determined and afree is person Every value. and meaning special have avery stitution con- the in rights fundamental the regime, Nazi of the experiences dreadful of the Because Germany. in people of the co-existence democratic and peaceful the guarantee They actionable. and inalienable are rights These state. by the individual the to guaranteed doms free- are They constitution. of the article first the in anchored are rights fundamental The rights? fundamental are What grundgesetz-der-bundesrepublik-deutschland in Arabic at at Arabic in Grundgesetz of the text The of Germany. Republic Federal of the structure the democratic, constitutionalliberty-based attack –to example for of expression, freedom – rights fundamental the may misuse one no But anyone. to denied be may not they means –that inalienable are rights fundamental The liberty."* of principal the on based structure, democratic constitution’s of the core of the apart are They of Germany. Republic Federal of the of values system of the basis the are rights fundamental p=all grundfragen/deutsche-demokratie/39294/grundrechte? from translated *quotation grundgesetz in German at at German in at Farsi in at English in pdf/80209100.pdf englisch_gg/ https://www.btg-bestellservice.de/ www.bpb.de/212966/ https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/ https://www.bundestag.de/ http://www.bpb.de/politik/ is available available is

6 17.04.17 23:06

Photo: Mauricio Bustamante Fundamental Rights

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 12 17.04.17 23:06 The Fundamental Rights

Articles 1 to 19 of the Grundgesetz delineate Example: the fundamental right of the Women have control of the money they earn. the fundamental rights. They include the right equality of women and men They may wear whatever clothes they choose. to the free development of personality, the Every year on 8 March, there are many events They alone make the decision about who, when right to life and physical integrity, freedom of to celebrate International Women’s Day. The and even if they want to marry. religion, the right to equality before the law, Senat holds a reception in the Rathaus for freedom of expression, and the inviolability of women who are involved in women’s groups You can find extensive information about the home. and other organizations that advocate women’s the fundamental rights in Germany at http:// Following are two examples: rights. On 8 March 2011, the Hamburg Rathaus www.hamburg.de/politische-bildung/7278640/ was close to being a "women-only" zone. This demokratie-fuer-mich/ Example: the fundamental right of day was the 100th anniversary of International religious freedom Women’s Day, and there were numerous events This brochure is available free of charge in On certain occasions, the Hamburg State flag hosted in the Rathaus. A large banner was hung Arabic, Farsi, and English at the Info-Center is raised in front of the Hamburg Rathaus. It from the Rathaus balcony in honor of the day. of the Landeszentrale für politische Bildung in has a white castle on a red background. On the Hamburg. For opening hours and address, see top of the middle tower of the castle is a Chris- International Women’s Day was first celebrated page 27.

tian cross. In Germany, Christianity is the most in 1911 in Denmark, Germany, Austria-Hunga- Germany recognizes the United Nations Con- Photos: Michael Zapf (gr.); Frederika Hoffmann; Pressestelle der Senatskanzlei wide-spread religion. But there is no law that ry, and Switzerland. At that time women were vention on the Rights of the Child for children forces people in Germany to be Christian. Every demanding the right to vote. and youth under the age of 18. Information person can decide for him- or herself which re- Thanks to women’s decades-long fight for the about children’s rights can be found at ligion they would like to practice. Every person right to equality, Germany granted women the www.unicef.de/informieren/materialien/konvention- also has the right to practice no religion at all. right to vote in 1918. The equality of women ueber-die-rechte-des-kindes/17528 and men is anchored in the German constitu- in English at: www.unicef.de/informieren/materialien/ Church and state are separated in Germany. tion of 1949. Women may practice any profes- kinderrechtskonvention-englisch/107310; There is no state religion, as there is for ex- sion. They may attend university or learn a pro- in Arabic at: www.unicef.de/informieren/materialien/ ample in Iraq, where Islam is the state religion. fession. There is no rule that says women must kinderrechtskonvention-arabisch/107350 stay at home and be mothers and wives.

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 13 17.04.17 23:06 Hamburg Rathaus: Seat of the legislative and executive branches, Court buildings: Seat of the judicial branch

Judiciary (courts)

Legislature (parliament)

Executive (administration)

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 14 17.04.17 23:06 Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 15 are in the hands of one person or party. or person of one hands the in are powers all adictatorship, In others. the balance and check to branch each allows of and power concentration the prevents of authority sion divi- The ademocracy. for important very is of state powers three of these separation The Rathaus. the from away kilometers afew is It seat. its has branch judiciary the where courthouse, main the shows picture smaller The Rathaus. of the side right executive branch, the of the seat The building. of the side left the on Rathaus Hamburg in is seat Its parliament. the is branch legislative The Hamburg. in branch of each seats above the show photos The of law). courts (the branch judicial the and ministers), or cabinet the and of government head (the branch executive the parliament), or (legislature branch islative leg- the branches: three into of state powers of the division the is of powers Separation mean? "separation of powers" does What Crucial to aDemocracy Separation of Powers and the Rule of Law are Hamburgische Hamburgische Bürgerschaft, Hamburger Senat,Hamburger the state state the is in the the in is mean? "legislative" do "executive"What and Senat. the called is branch executive the Hamburg, In branch. legislative by the passed laws the out carrying for responsible is branch executive The ministries. and cabinet the and of state head the is of government branch executive The Berlin. in parliament) Bundestag the with lies authority That country. entire the to apply make that not laws does It of Hamburg. city-state to the apply Bürgerschaft The astate. in authority law-making the is lature ment, the parlia- state the is this Hamburg –in legislature the is of government branch legislative The independence. The judges’ are answerable to their restrict to Minister, may attempt Justice mayor the or even the not institution, state No judges. over by independent presided are courts The legislature. by the passed laws the reviews and interprets It system. court judiciary, the or branch, judicial The mean? "judiciary" does What Hamburgische Hamburgische Bürgerschaft. makes and passes laws that that laws passes and makes is the the is Alegis- (federal (federal

court of law. court a in measures state-sanctioned protest to right have the citizens All laws. own its upholds state the that ensure also Germany, courts the In cases. specific in make to decisions is bility responsi- important most Their law alone. the the by abide must administrations state and ments parlia- state courts, agencies, and ministries All laws. valid and constitution the in down laid rules by the abides government or state constitution, a by a bound not is government or state the which in adictatorship, or state apolice Unlike of law. astate or state tional aRechtsstaat, –is well as Hamburg thus –and of Germany Republic Federal The "state does ofWhat law" mean? constitution. state of law state ensures that the the that ensures aconstitu- 8 17.04.17 23:06

Photos: commons.wikimedia.org/Daniel Schwen (CC BY-SA 4.0) (gr.); Michael Zapf Artisan figures on the Rathaus façade

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 16 17.04.17 23:06 Elections for the Hamburgische Bürgerschaft

Who is allowed to vote? - They may not have had their right to vote schaft. Each election results in a new distribu- When the Rathaus was built more than 100 revoked, which can be ordered by the court tion of the number of seats for each party. For years ago, the architects put 18 stone figures as a penalty for certain serious crimes more information, see page 14. on the façade above the second-story win- dows. The picture above shows four of them. To be elected to the Bürgerschaft, a candidate Elections are universal, direct, free, equal, 16 of the figures depict different trades: a must fulfil the voting requirements, be at least and secret. "Universal" means that all citizens shoemaker, a baker, a cabinet-maker, a potter, 18 years old, and not have been disqualified who are eligible to vote may do so. Elections a butcher, a tailor, a stonemason, a painter, from being elected. are "free" because no one may be pressured to and a gardner, for example. The builders of the vote for a particular person or party. And they Rathaus wanted to show that these profes- Elections are held every five years are "secret" because no one must reveal whom

sions were represented in the Hamburg Bürger- Regular elections for the Bürgerschaft, Ham- they voted for. Photos: Michael Zapf (gr.); Hhbrmbk/CC 3.0 BY-SA (4) schaft. burg’s state parliament, are held every 5 years. For a long time before the Rathaus was built, The next regular election is in 2020. For more information about elections and only wealthy men were allowed to vote for and voting, go to www.hamburg.de/wahlen be members of the Bürgerschaft. These were Who is elected? merchants, lawyers, and doctors. That only Germany – and thus Hamburg as well – is a changed at the end of the 19th century. In parliamentary democracy. That means that 1918 there was another big change – in that all state power emanates from the people. year women were given the right to vote. Citizens elect parties and people who govern Today, all citizens of Hamburg who fulfil the for a specified length of time. There are various following four requirements are allowed to parties, each of which has declared its posi- vote: tions on issues in a party platform. With their - They must have German citizenship votes, the citizens of Hamburg determine - They must be at least 16 years old which parties will be represented in the Bürger- - They must have had their main residence in schaft. They also determine how many seats Hamburg for at least three months will be allocated to each party in the Bürger-

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 17 17.04.17 23:06 Cast iron gate – Entrance to the Rathaus

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 18 17.04.17 23:06 The Rathaus is open to the Public

An ornate black gateway leads into the Rathaus from the Rathausmarkt. The gate is made of cast iron and is decorated with vines, rosettes, and figures.

The lower hall of the Rathaus, the Rathausdiele, is open daily to the public. Other rooms can be viewed on a tour of the building. Tours are offered at specific times, and are available in German, English, and French. Information about foreign-language tours is available at the telephone number 0049-(0)40-428 31-20 46, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Information about German-language tours is available at http:// www.hamburg.de/rathausfuehrung/ Photos: Michael Zapf (o.); commons.wikimedia.org/CC 3.0/Hhbrmbk BY-SA (2)

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 19 17.04.17 23:06 The Bürgerschaft and the Senat are to either side of the Rathausdiele

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 20 17.04.17 23:06 Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 21 by the citizens of Hamburg. The representa- representa- The of Hamburg. citizens by the elected democratically are They presentatives. The Hamburg Hamburg the left-hand the on stairways double The State Parliament the is Bürgerschaft The public. the to open is it as place, a busy Rathausdiele. the as known hall, entry the in be you will Rathaus, the you enter When Hamburg’s State Parliament and Hamburg’s State Executive Bürgerschaft Rathausdiele Bürgerschaft, Bürgerschaft lead to the chambers of the of the chambers the to lead the state parliament. consists of 121 re- of 121 consists and Senat side of side It’s - Providing checks and balances for the Senat the for balances and checks Providing - Bürgerschaft The Legislation. - are:bilities Bürgerschaft’s of the Some Constitution. Hamburg by the ensured is as conscience, by their only bound nevertheless, are, They of Hamburg. citizens of the interests political the of representing responsibility the Abgeordnete. called are tives birds, butterflies and frogs. birds, butterflies like snails, animals small and leaves with rated archway, deco- lavishly sandstone by agilded framed is It gate. iron cast ornate an through Senat the the to entryway The government. state of the Senat, of the chambers the to directly leading stairway broad the right-hand the On Government State the Senat The laws is the Executive Branch of Executive the is Branch side of the Rathausdiele of the side the executive branch branch executive the important responsi important They have accepted have They accepted stairway is is stairway makes state state makes is is -

execution of the laws made by the Bürgerschaft. by the made laws of the execution the is agencies, and ministries of the also fore Senat’s the Among of Hamburg. citizens the to services state providing for responsible are and institutions state are These agencies. or of ministries 11 up made is administration The state. of the tion administra- the supervise and lead who bers, Senat The is a council of no more than 12 mem- mem- 12 than more of no acouncil is responsibilities, and there 11 - 17.04.17 23:06

Photos: Michael Zapf Plenary Chamber

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 22 17.04.17 23:06 The Bürgerschaft convenes in the Plenary Chamber

The Bürgerschaft’s Plenary Chamber is on the second floor on the left side of the Rathaus. The Bürgerschaft convenes here every other Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. Photos: Michael Zapf

The Plenary Chamber is arranged much like a theater. The rows of seats rise from the front to the back. At the front, where the stage would be in a theater, are the seats for the President of the Bürgerschaft and the Presidential Coun- cil. In front of them is the lectern where representatives make their speeches.

The 121 representatives sit in the Plenary Chamber facing the Council and the President of the Bürgerschaft. Guests may sit on the balconies to the left and right of the chamber.

The representatives climb this stairway to reach the Plenary Chamber of the Bürgerschaft

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 23 17.04.17 23:06 The Plenary Chamber during a session of the Bürgerschaft

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 24 17.04.17 23:06 Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 25 21 current of the course political the controls tion GRÜNEN 90/DIE Bündnis party the with acoalition into entered Bürgerschaft, the in haveto amajority schaft Bürger however, the control to enough not of votes was, votes (45.6%). percentage This most won the of Germany) Party Democratic demokratische Partei Deutschland Sozial the election, 2015. this In February in Bürgerschaft the to election last The the Political Course? Who in the Bürgerschaft The next election is in 2020. in is election next The years. five lasts session legislative A regular st Bürgerschaft. of the session legislative – that requires more than 50%. In order order In 50%. than more requires –that (the Green Party). This coali- coali- This Party). Green (the View from the public balcony public the from View (SPD – Social (SPD –Social took place place took the SPD SPD the - - determines determines

13 17.04.17 23:06

Photos: Michael Zapf Allocation of seats for the 21st legislative session

Bürgerschaft (State Parliament)

6 Vice Presidents President 2 Secretaries

58 20 14 10 9 7 3 Allocation of Seats

SPD CDU GRÜNE DIE LINKE 58 seats for the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) 20 seats for the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) FDP 14 seats for the Green Party (BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN) 10 seats for the Left Party (DIE LINKE) Empty seats: There are 9 seats for the Free Democratic Party (FDP) AFD more seats in the Plenary 7 seats for the Alternative for Germany Party (AfD) Chamber than there are 3 seats for non-afﬁ liated representatives Non-affiliated elected representatives (August 2016)

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 26 17.04.17 23:06 The Allocation of Seats for Bürgerschaft Representatives in the Plenary Chamber

Above is a diagram of the 121 seats in the will have more than half the seats in the Bür- is formed as follows: The party with the most Plenary Chamber of the Bürgerschaft for the gerschaft and will thus be the governing par- votes allies itself with a party that has re- current 21st legislative session. liamentary party. It determines the political ceived fewer votes, and with which the win- course for the legislative session. ning party would like to cooperate. Together All parties that receive at least 5% of the votes For more information about the governing these parties constitute a majority and thus in an election will send representatives to parliamentary party, see page 15. form the governing group. They draw up a the Bürgerschaft. In the last election, six par- coalition contract and determine the political ties met the 5% threshold – the SPD, the CDU, A Bürgerschaftsfraktion (parliamentary party) course together. Bündnis 90/DIE GRÜNEN, DIE LINKE, the FDP, is a voting bloc, generally made up of represen- and the AfD. tatives of one party. All other parties who met the 5% threshold in the election form the minority opposition The SPD received the most votes in the elec- There are exceptions. If, for example, a repre- in the Bürgerschaft. They do not determine Informationsgrafik: Michael Pfisterer/www.elida-atelier.com Michael Informationsgrafik: tion, and thus received the most seats in the sentative disagrees with his or her party’s the political course. Bürgerschaft. The CDU received the second stance and does not vote with the bloc, he or The opposition is important for democracy. highest number of votes. In third place was she is no longer a member of the Bürgerschafts- It is the party or parties that oppose the Bündnis 90/DIE GRÜNEN (the Green Party), fraktion, but remains a member of the Bürger- administration, represented by the gover- followed by DIE LINKE (the Left Party), then the schaft. Such members are "non-affiliated" ning party or coalition. It is the responsibility FDP (Freiheitliche Demokratische Partei – the representatives. of the opposition to publicly voice dissent to Free Democratic Party), and finally the AfD the administration’s policies. (Alternative für Deutschland – an Alternative The main goal of each Bürgerschaftsfraktion is In this legislative session, the opposition for Germany). to achieve as many of its party’s political goals consists of the CDU, the FDP, DIE LINKE, as possible. and the AfD. Majorities in the Bürgerschaft If no party receives more than half of the If a party receives more than half of the votes, there is generally a coalition. A coali- votes in a Bürgerschaft election, that party tion is an alliance between at least two parties. will have an absolute majority. This party These parties then work together. A coalition

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 27 17.04.17 23:06 Representatives of the governing coalition of SPD and Bündnis 90/DIE GRÜNEN and the opposition party DIE LINKE

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 28 17.04.17 23:06 The Governing Coalition and its Relationship to the Senat

There is a close political relationship between The Bürgerschaft’s obligation of monitoring the the majority party or coalition in the Bürger- Senat takes the form of cooperation between schaft and the Senat. This is why the majority the governing party or coalition in the Bürger- party or coalition in the Bürgerschaft is called schaft and the Senat. the governing party or coalition. The gover- Photos: Michael Zapf ning coalition and the Senat are bound to each "The administration shall translate the politi- other in the following ways: cal platforms and ideas of the majority party in parliament into practical policy. For this - If an election results in an absolute majority reason the majority parliamentary party sees for one party, that party determines the po- no necessity in directly monitoring ’its’ admi- litical course in the Bürgerschaft. The Senat nistration, but rather acts as support for the will also be composed of members of this administration."* party. (There can be non-afﬁliated members of the Senat.) See more on page 23. Should the majority party in the Bürgerschaft disagree with the actions of the Senat, the con- - If an election results in a coalition in the flict is generally not discussed in public. Bürgerschaft, then the coalition parties determine the political course together. Mem- bers of the Senat will come from both coalition parties. That party which received the most votes in the election will have more members in the Senat.

*Quote translated from Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung. Entry: Gewaltenteilung.

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 29 17.04.17 23:06 Swearing-in of the Mayor and the Cabinet

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 30 17.04.17 23:06 Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 31 not approved, they may not take office. take may not they approved, not mayor by are the submitted candidates the If 23. see page information, For more candidates. the reject or approve to Bürgerschaft, the to positions ministerial the for choices Senat. to the Bürgerschaft the in representatives of the duty the also is It of Senat the Confirmation the in representatives of the duty important One of Mayor the Election Duties of the Bürgerschaft ty of the oath. of the ty solemni- the emphasize to meant is It symbolic. purely is gesture This hand. right her or his ceremony, mayor raises the At swearing-in the Bürgerschaft. of the of members by amajority elected was he in Chamber. sworn was he Before Plenary the in mayor, current of (SPD) Hamburg’s Scholz Olaf swearing-in the shows left the on picture The Senat. of the head mayor the is The Bürgerschaft confirm the appointments appointments the confirm to and the representatives vote representatives the and The mayor submits his or her her or his mayor submits The is the election of the mayor. of the election the is

Senat Bürgerschaft The debts. its and assets its expenditures, and revenues city’s of the all lists budget The Senat. by up the drawn budget the rejects or approves and changes, checks, It purpose. which for and spent may be that of money get. bud city the monitoring is control of this Part Bürgerschaft. the to Senat, the trol" schaft. Bürger vote not the do in They Bürgerschaft. the in by representatives posed questions any answer must ministers The Bürgerschaft. of the meetings during mayor sit deputy mayor and the and ministers) or members cabinet the (i.e. senators the where is This left. top the at The right-hand picture shows the cabinet bench Senat. the tor Another of the Bürgerschaft’s of the Another Senat the Monitoring tions to the administration. There are both ma- both are There administration. the to tions ques- formal submit to parliament of the right The Bürgerschaft The by means of interpellation by means The Bürgerschaft The in that the Senat the that in also monitors also determines the amount representatives "con- representatives duties is to moni to is duties the work of the of the work the is answerable answerable is – the formal formal –the

- - - internet access for refugees. for access internet of free and courses; language of German dren; chil- refugee for of vaccinations refugees; for of medication housing; into containers shipping of conversion the for of costs shelters; refugee in personnel security of female children; fugee re- for attendance of school residences; of new existing refugee housing and the construction of refugees; under-age for of caring issues on example –for interest of political topics many Representatives submit time. of amount aspecified within writing in reply Senat the submitted, is question interpellations ( ( interpellations jor Kleine Anfragen Große Anfragen Kleine Anfragen Kleine ). When a formal aformal ). When is required to to required is ) and minor minor ) and on on 16 17.04.17 23:06

Photos: Michael Zapf The Bürgerschaft’s Presiding Council

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 32 17.04.17 23:06 Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 33 Bürgerschaft the during president the for support as serve secretaries The Party. Green the SPD, and the parties, opposition smaller three the from are the in seats most the with party opposition of the amember is vice-president primary The party. president The taries. secre- two and vice-presidents, five president, vice- primary the president, of the consists Council Presiding the session, legislative this In schaft Bürger first the during session, legislative the of duration the for place in remain will which The representatives theelect Presiding Council, representatives. Chamber, the facing Plenary of the front the the of leading charge in is Council Presiding The theCouncil Presiding At the Head of the Bürgerschaft: for example. for speak, to requests have made who sentatives The five other vice-presidents vice-presidents other five The Bürgerschaft. Bürgerschaft session after the general election. general the after session sessions. They recognize repre- recognize They sessions. is a member of the majority majority of the amember is sessions. The Council sits at at sits Council The sessions. - ries. dignita- foreign welcoming and speeches king Senat, the with sibilities are negotiating and corresponding respon- other her Among Rathaus. of the side Bürgerschaft’s the on chambers the in authority primary the is She vice-presidents. six the Bürgerschaft, of the sessions over the preside to is responsibilities of her schaft Bürger- of the VeitCarola (SPD) President the is sessions. the during behavior appropriate maintains and bias, party no with upheld are of procedure rules the that ensures tatives, represen- of the rights the protects she or He the highest-ranking representative in Hamburg. Bürgerschaft Hamburg of the President The for the current legislative session. One One session. legislative current the for The President of the Bürgerschaft the of President The and ceremonial duties like ma- like ma- duties ceremonial and with support from from support with , Carola Veit , Carola

is is

17 17.04.17 23:06

Photos: Michael Zapf Hecklers from the opposition parties and an SPD speaker

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 34 17.04.17 23:06 Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 35 jections from the opposition. the from jections ob- against them defend to and policies their Senat the and party majority the compel debates The debates. and discussions are There heard. are opposition the and party majority the both from arguments process, decision-making the In committees. from ports re- about made also are Decisions rejected. Bürgerschaft the in parties and Senat by the submitted legislation and sitions propo- the that here is It democracy. mentary Bürgerschaft The the Core of Parliamentary Democracy The Bürgerschaft session is the core of parlia- core the is session are passed or or passed are to explain explain to

Session: Bürgerschaft the in passed are propostions and Legislation opposition heckling him (left). CDU the from Niedmers (right), Ralf and speech a making chairman, party SPD the Dressel, above Dr. show pictures Andreas The questions. speaker, the out may heckle call or parties opposition the from representatives issue, an on views her or his explaining aspeech king schaft Bürger- the in lively quite be can it Sometimes so that every word is understood is word every that so lectern, the at microphone The sessions. When a representative is ma- is arepresentative When sessions. with a majority vote. amajority with

for refugees. refugees. for programs sports for or children, for portunities op- educational or like recreational measures integration for or housing, new funding for Bürgerschaft the in parties the For example, Hamburg. in of refugees tion The Bürgerschaft The projects. of housing construction the or facilities care of children’s day funding the example –for tion administra- municipal the affecting issues with representatives are therefore also concerned The city. a also but state, a only not is Hamburg with?deal representatives the do issues What is also deals with the situa- the with deals also is submit propositions 18 17.04.17 23:06

Photos: Michael Zapf (o.); Andres Lehmann/ukoniio.de View from the balcony – in the public eye

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 36 17.04.17 23:06 Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 37 schaft.de. hamburgische-buergerschaft.de an admission pass by e-mail at at by e-mail pass admission an order and asession You attend to register can discussed are available on the internet at at internet the on available are discussed issues and of sessions dates The sessions. the observe to allowed are people, young and dren chil- including Everyone, public. the to open Bürgerschaft of the sessions The Chamber. Plenary the in representatives the overlooking public the abovebalcony, shows picture The Plenary Chamber are open to the Public The Sessions of the Bürgerschaft buergerschaft-live/ at at Bürgerschaft [email protected], 24 09 or online at at online or 09 24 https://www.hamburgische-buergerschaft.de/ In addition, every session of the of the session every addition, In is broadcast live on the internet internet the on live broadcast is www.hamburgische-buerger b eehn t4831- 428 at by telephone

oeffentlichkeits oeffentlichkeits are generally www.

You can find the parties’ addresses at at addresses You parties’ the find can information from theparties. parliamentary policy. You contact refugee their get with can particularly deal who representatives are There do. often they but citizens, from suggestions to respond to required not are They hours. office and have offices tatives her. or him represen- with The issue the about You you trust. that speak can representative Bürgerschaft, the in about spoken be to issue policy like aparticular you would If You questions may ask also www.hamburgische-buergerschaft.de/fraktionen/ View of the Plenary Chamber Chamber Plenary the of View with its ornate ceiling. ornate its with contact a contact https:// in the 19 17.04.17 23:06

Photo: Michael Zapf (o.); dpa/ap Bürgersaal – also a committee room

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 38 17.04.17 23:06 Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 39 These bad qualities should be left at the door door the at left be should qualities bad These irony,sent envy, spitefulness. jealousy, and repre- They heads. carved with decorated are benches wooden of the sides the at pillars The meet here. Bürgerschaft of the Commitees receptions. Bürgerschaft of the President the where room the is granite, of black made Bürgersaal, ornate The Committees of the Bürgerschaft with its large fireplace fireplace large its with holds smaller smaller holds also also meetings. the to it on opinion expert an give can who or issue an about knowledge have special who citizens invite also can representatives The may have. must answer any questions the representatives the of members request can representatives The issues. the about decisions making when informed schaft, Bürger- the to recommendations their submit details, and make recommendations. They then discuss work, preparatory do committees The labor,issues, integration. and social for acommittee and schools, for people, young and children for issues, family for tees commit- example, for are, There Bürgerschaft. by the appointed are They issues. specific for Bürgerschaft meeting. committee a for room the enter representatives when Senat so that the representatives are well- are representatives the that so to attend committee meetings. They They meetings. committee attend to committees are working groups groups working are committees listed at at listed are meetings of committee times and Dates Hamburg. in of refugees care health the to relating issues handles example, for Health, Public for Committee The notice. prior out with- meeting You acommittee may attend Complaints. and Petitions for Committee of the meetings example for discussed, are individual an of details personal when closed are meetings public. to the open generally are meetings committee The de/termine/ https://www.hamburgische-buergerschaft. There is one exception: the the exception: one is There 20 17.04.17 23:06

Photos: Michael Zapf The Eingabenausschuss – Committee for Petitions and Complaints

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 40 17.04.17 23:06 For Requests and Complaints: the Eingabenausschuss It’s there for everyone

One of the important Bürgerschaft committees Complaints about issues between private Guidelines for submitting a petition or com- is the Committee for Petitions and Com- individuals like disputes with a neighbor, family plaint are available at www.hamburgische-buerger plaints. You may turn to this committee if you problems, or tenancy issues, may not be sub- schaft.de/eingabeverfahren feel you have been treated unfairly by public mitted. The committee is also not allowed to Photo: Michael Zapf agencies of the City of Hamburg. You may review decisions of a court, as it may not inter- The Committee for Petitions and Complaints submit a complaint if, for example, an agency fere in the independence of the judicial courts. has regular times during which people may (Behörde) has made a decision that you think present their cases. You can ask about the times is incorrect, or if you feel that an office or There are no rules about how a petition or at the committee office, tel: 428 31-13 24. The agency treated you with disrespect. complaint should be formulated. There is times are also listed at https://www.hamburgische- Anyone can request help from the Committee also no charge for submitting one. It helps the buergerschaft.de/ for Petitions and Complaints, regardless of committee to reach a decision if you can pre- their nationality. Adults, children, youth, priso- sent copies of your correspondence or other Petitions and complaints are submitted to the ners, and stateless persons are all eligible. important documents. Senat, and the Senat responds with a statement about the issue. Then the lawyers on the Meetings of the Committee for Petitions and Important: You must give your name and ad- Committee for Petitions and Complaints review Complaints are not open to the public, and dress, and you must sign the petition or com- the case and submit an evaluation of the legal members of the committee are sworn to secrecy. plaint. You may also use the online form, aspects to the committee. The committee then available at https://www.hamburgische-buerger reaches a decision and submits a recommen- Whether it’s about public assistance benefits, schaft.de/online-eingabe/ dation to the Bürgerschaft, which then makes building laws, prison conditions, or residence You can also send a letter by post to Einga- a recommendation to the Senat about how the permits – all petitions and complaints may be bendienst, Geschäftsstelle des Eingabenaus- complaint should be handled. The Senat makes submitted, as long as they concern a public or schusses der Hamburgischen Bürgerschaft, the final decision about whether or not to state institution of Hamburg. Schmiedestraße 2, 20095 Hamburg. E-Mail: accept the Bürgerschaft’s recommendation. The For cases that involve the revocation of a resi- [email protected] Senat is required to explain its decision. dence permit, for example, there is an estab- lished practice for rapid processing.

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 41 17.04.17 23:06 Senat Stairway

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 42 17.04.17 23:06 Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 43 in place today. place in Senat the off closed that gate bronze area." ornate "a The off closed simply was meaning older its but park, life azoo wild- in or animals for area enclosed an Today Gehege word the Senatsgehege. the called are chambers The justice (right). and (left) mercy representing statues marble the to entrance the is stairway ofAt the top the second floor. Senat the to leads stairway), Senatstreppenhaus the stairway, peted ared-car- Rathaus, of the side right the On The Senat: Hamburg Senat chambers, flanked on either side with with side either on flanked chambers, is generally used for for used generally is chambers remains chambers on the the on chambers (Senat female minister, Paula Karpinski Karpinski Paula minister, female Minister of the Department of of Department the of Minister Senatsgehege: the right is of Hamburg’s ﬁrst ﬁrst Hamburg’s of is right the (SPD). She was appointed as as appointed was She (SPD).

Children’s Welfare in 1946. in Welfare Children’s

In the hallway of the the of hallway the In Senat? the in represented are parties Which agreement. acoalition in codified is platform This platform. acommon on agree must partners coalition the of acoalition, up made is majority the When 15 information. for page more See Party). Green (the GRÜNEN 90/DIE Bündnis (SPD) the and ty Senat the in ministers the session, legislative this In The painting to to painting The are from both the Social Democratic Par- Democratic Social the both from are the State Administration ties in the Senat. the in ties par- opposition of the members no are There

22 17.04.17 23:06

Photos: Michael Zapf The Mayor’s Chambers

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 44 17.04.17 23:06 Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 45 information from the ministries at any time. any at ministries the from information Senat, of the head the As statement. policy by this abide to bound Senat. the to appointed have been ministers the after mayor issues the which statement, policy government the in contained are directives policy The directives. Senat, over the sides Senat. of the head mayor the is The mayor the does What do? men. and of women equality of the issues addresses that ministry the is This Opportunities. Equal and Research of Science, Department of the Minister the also is Fegebank Ms. GRÜNEN. 90/DIE Bündnis of the amember is She Fegebank. Katharina mayor is (SPD). deputy The Party Democratic Social of the amember is He Scholz. Olaf is mayor Hamburg’s session, legislative this In visitors. receive to rooms these uses Mayor’s the are Rathaus Chambers. of the side right of the floor second the On Hamburg’sMayor Deputy Hamburg’s Mayor: Head of the Senat and determines the policy policy the determines and the mayor may request mayor may request the The ministers are are ministers The He pre- pre- He The mayor The Mayor's Mayor's the you may contact Hamburg, in agencies or ministries of any the with you haveIf aproblem The next election is in 2020. in is election next The years. five for generally is session legislative Bürgerschaft anew when end office in terms ministers’ the mayor’s and The posts. their from remove them also can she or he ministers, appoints mayor the who is it Since 16. see page of ministers, approval the mayor and of the election the about information For more ballot. byis secret mayor. by the process appointed approval The Bürgerschaft The posts. the fill to people non-party-affiliated choose can senators). He ( ministers the mayor and deputy the appoints he mayor elected, is the After ballot. Bürgerschaft The [email protected] Bürgerbüro must approve the ministers ministers the approve must elects the mayor by secret mayor by the secret elects (Citizens’ Office). E-mail: E-mail: (Citizens’ Office).

is elected. is Senatoren, A

schaft Bürger the successful, is vote confidence of no the If mayor, avote confidence. of no holds it Bürgerschaft the If any time. at office their from may resign minister Each office. from resigns amayor if end also office in terms Ministers’ elects a new mayor. anew elects is dissatisfied with the the with dissatisfied is 23 - 17.04.17 23:06

Photos: Michael Zapf (gr., Fegebank); Senatskanzlei The Hamburg Senat for the 21st legislative session after its swearing-in in the Spring of 2015

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 46 17.04.17 23:06 Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 47 senators are no longer in the cabinet. the in longer no are senators of of 2015. the Three spring the in election Bürgerschaft the after taken was photo This ministries. 11 Hamburg’s lead will They hands. their in of appointment letters their hold senators The middle. mayor the in the with senators eleven all above shows picture The painting. of this Senat new of the photo group a approved, and appointed have been senators Bürgerschaft every After robes. these wore 1919, longer no After senators kilograms. 35 weighed robes The ruffs. Spanish with of office robes ceremonial wore they occasions, special On room. 1897 this in from hangs senators the of picture Alarge Rathaus. of the floor second BürgermeistersaalThe The Senators form the Cabinet (Mayorial Hall) is on the the on is Hall) (Mayorial election and after the the after and election is taken in front front in taken is

90/DIE GRÜNEN). She is also asenator, also is She and GRÜNEN). 90/DIE (Bündnis Fegebank Mayor Katharina Deputy Senat. of (SPD). the head is Scholz He Mayor Olaf Innovation. and Transportation Affairs, Economic for Senator Protection. Consumer and Health Public for ter Senator the photograph. in not is She office. this in him (SPD) succeeded 2015. Leonhard Dr. October until Melanie Integration and Family Welfare, Labor, Social Senator Minister. Senator Minister. Justice NEN), Senator are: right to From left Frank Horch Cornelia Prüfer-Storcks Detlef Scheele Dr. (SPD), Peter Tschentscher Finance GRÜ- 90/DIE (Bündnis Dr. Steffen Till (non-affiliated), Minister for for (SPD), Minister Minis- (SPD), Minis- Minister Minister Energy. and Environment the for Minister NEN), Senator photo. the in not is 2016. He 20 January on office this in him ded and Sport. Senator Sport. and Affairs Internal 2016, for January Minister Senator cation. Senator Housing. and Development Urban for ter Senator 2017.ruary Dr. pictured. not is Brosda Feb- in Affairs Media and Cultural for Minister as her (SPD) succeeded Dr. Brosda Carsten Affairs Cultural for Minister was she 2016). death, October her Until deceased ated, Senator Opportunities. Equal and Research Science, for Minister Jens Kerstan Michael Neumann Rabe Ties (SPD),Minis Dr. Stapelfeldt Dorothee (non-affili Kisseler Barbara Professor

Minister for Edu- Edu- for (SPD), Minister Andy Grote Andy (Bündnis 90/DIE GRÜ- 90/DIE (Bündnis (SPD). Until mid- (SPD). mid- Until (SPD) succee- . Senator . Senator 24 - 17.04.17 23:06 -

Photo: Michael Zapf The Great Hall decorated for the St. Matthias Feast

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 48 17.04.17 23:06 Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 49 banquet it the world. The 24 The world. the it banquet state oldest the is it and 1356, in place took first celebration This Rathaus. Hamburg the Feast thias Every year around February 24 February around year Every City-State of Hamburg The countries, and influential organizations to cities, of other representatives invite to dition atra- day. into mayor this on the developed It elected and appointments their received tors sena- the centuries, earlier In Matthias. saint Christian day the for feast the is and of spring, day first the be to considered traditionally the celebration. Today, celebration. guests the 400 than more is celebrated in the Great Hall in in Hall Great the in celebrated is Senat is Head of State of the th of February was was of February th St. Mat- St. , the

heads of state, and kings and queens. queens. and kings and of state, heads tend the banquet, including national presidents, at- world over the all from people Prominent invited. also are organizations international from and communities religious large the from Representatives science. and culture, business, of politics, worlds the from come Guests room. 45-meter-long the in up set tables, banquet decorated beautifully at places their take they where Hall, Great 720m² the to welcomed are during a state visit in Hamburg in 2015 in Hamburg in visit a state during Netherlands the of Couple Royal The the European Union. European the with contact in remain to order in Brussels in office an has such as and countries, foreign to representative Hamburg’s also is It states. man Ger- other to and government national the to Hamburg represents It well. as duties other has Senat the of state, head the as function its In prizes. and awards, honors, presenting for and visits, state and of dignitaries receptions organizing for Senat the of Hamburg, state Senat. the for occasion aspecial is Feast St. Matthias The As the head of state of the city- city- of the of state head the As is responsible

17.04.17 23:07

Photos: Michael Zapf The Ratsstube

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 50 17.04.17 23:07 Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 51 advisors. Senat, of the secretary press the senators, the sit table the around them To of of state. side acanopy or chin, either abalda- under mayor sit deputy mayor and The public. the to open not are which meetings, the mayor chairs The Rathaus. of the floor ond the TuesdayEvery Senat 11:30, at the Senat (Council Chamber) on the sec- the on Chamber) (Council Ratsstube meetings The mayor and deputy mayor sit sit mayor deputy and mayor The A baldachin is a canopy of state state of acanopy is A baldachin under this wooden baldachin under which dignitaries sit dignitaries which under and the senators’ senators’ the and meets in in simple majority. The individual votes are secret, secret, votes are individual The majority. simple a with made are Decisions taken. be to actions the Senat the which about ministries, their from issues important on make reports advisors their Senat the During Senat must make decisions. The members of members The make decisions. must discuss the issues, and vote on the vote the on and issues, the discuss meetings, the senators and and senators the meetings, be approved by the Bürgerschaft, by the approved be must propositions Some decisions. make can Senat the which about issues many are There voice. one with speaks Senat the since addresses on the next page. next the on addresses several are there to more, know like youIf would Senat. by the with dealt are that issues Bürgerschaft. the in tives by representa- submitted interpellations minor or major any to response the upon decides also Senat The increases. budget any approve must Bürgerschaft the For example, Bürgerschaft. the to present will it of these which decides acts as a single entity and and entity asingle as acts There are many more more many are There and the Senat the and

17.04.17 23:07

Photos: Michael Zapf The Info-Center of the Hamburg Landeszentrale für politische Bildung

Kalender Englisch Innen.indd 52 17.04.17 23:07 The Info-Center of the Hamburg Landeszentrale für politische Bildung

You can find more information about political English: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/ The Bürgerschaft offers tours of the Rathaus, topics at the Info-Center of the Landeszen- englisch_gg/ a film (in German) about how the parliament trale für politische Bildung (State Center for Farsi: https://www.btg-bestellservice.de/ works, information sessions with representa- Political Education) at Dammtorwall 1. pdf/80209100.pdf tives, and informational material about the Opening hours are: German: https://www.bundestag.de/grundgesetz Hamburg Bürgerschaft. The Bürgerschaft also Monday-Thursday 12:30–17:00 and Friday has two books for children and young people. 12:30–16:30. The brochure ”Democracy for Me” offers in- They explain the work of a representative, You can also find information at our website formation to refugees about basic rights. It is and inform the reader about politics and www.hamburg.de/politische-bildung available in German, English, Arabic, and Farsi democracy. You can order the books at at the Info-Center, or can be downloaded at https://www. hamburgische-buergerschaft.de/

You can read more about how the Senat and http://www.hamburg.de/politische-bildung/7278640/ kinder-und-jugend/4414048/pixi-buecher/ Hamburg Bildung politische für Landeszentrale Photo: Bürgerschaft work in the brochure "Einblicke. demokratie-fuer-mich/ Hamburgs Verfassung und politischer Alltag leicht Also available in English, Arabic, and Farsi. gemacht." by Rita Bake and Birgit Kiupel. This brochure is only available in German. It is avail- The Landeszentrale für politische Bildung offers able free of charge at the Info-Center of the seminars for refugees, with interpreters. If you Landeszentrale für politische Bildung. are interested in these seminars, you may send an e-mail to [email protected] The Info-Center also has free copies of the German Constitution (Grundgesetz) and the The Info-Center offers a brochure for children Thanks for information and advice to: Peter Hamburg Constitution in German. (in German), free of charge, about a Rathaus- Meyer (Bürgerschaft Chancellery), Tanja Ben- Rally. ecke and Oliver Rudolf (State Electoral Office), The text of the Constitution is available online Dr. Jürgen Schween (Senat Chancellery), Martin in several languages: Roel (Altona District Office), Prof. Dr. Tilman Arabic: http://www.bpb.de/212966/grundgesetz-der- Grammes (Hamburg University, Department of bundesrepublik-deutschland Education, Office for Social Science Didactics)

Kalender Englisch Umschlag U1-U4.indd 3 06.06.17 20:57 Legal Notice

The Landeszentrale für politische Bildung is a The Hamburg Landeszentrale für politische Bil- © Landeszentrale für politische Bildung; part of the Ministry of Education of the Free dung works together with the Landeszentralen Hamburg 2016/2017 and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. It is a non-par- of other German states and the Bundeszent- All rights reserved, in particular of the trans- tisan organization. An advisory board made rale (Federal center) für politische Bildung. All lation, broadcast on radio and television, and up of members of various parties ensures its services of the Landeszentrale can be found at online publication non-partisanship. www.hamburg.de/politische-bildung. The work of the Landeszentrale includes: Author – the publication of original works Our ofﬁces are at Dammtorstraße 14, Idea, conception and text: Dr. Rita Bake – the acquisition and distribution of publica- 20354 Hamburg. The entrance to the Translators tions on particular topics Info-Center is at Dammtorwall 1. English: Amanda C. Lee – the coordination and funding of political Farsi: Nazafarin Mozafari education programs Info-Center opening hours: Arabic: Dr. Mohammed Khalifa – consulting on issues of political education Monday–Thursday 12:30–17:00, Tigrinya: Araya Endaye – cooperation with organizations and associa- Friday 12:30–16:30. Editorial staff translations Abut Can tions Design Andrea Orth – funding for functions for political education Contact – organization of Rathaus seminars for target Telephone: (040) 428 23-48 08 Printed by Mundschenk, Soltau groups Telefax: (040) 428 23-48 13 ISBN: 978-3-946246-07-7 – public events E-Mail: [email protected] Internet: www.hamburg.de/politische-bildung Note: Permission for the usage of photographs Our services are directed to all residents of has been obtained from the copyright holders. Hamburg. You may pick up any information or In cases where this was not possible, we ask publications in person during the Info-Center’s that the copyright holder contact the Landes- opening hours. For a service fee of 15 euros zentrale. per year, you can order up to ﬁve books from a supplemental catalog of publications. Cover photo: ©panthermedia.net/markovskiy

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