Ermächtigungsgesetz

The Ermächtigungsgesetz, often translated as the Enabling Act, was a law passed by the German Reichstag on March 23, 1933. Its full title was the "Law to Remedy the Distress of the People and the Reich." This legislation effectively granted the government of Adolf Hitler the power to enact laws without the involvement of the Reichstag or the President.

The act was passed during a period of significant political turmoil in Germany following the Nazi seizure of power. It was presented as a necessary measure to stabilize the nation and address economic and social crises. However, critics argue it was the legal foundation for the establishment of a totalitarian dictatorship.

Key provisions of the Ermächtigungsgesetz allowed the cabinet to propose bills, which would then become law without needing parliamentary approval. It also stipulated that laws enacted by the government could deviate from the constitution, although it stated they should not alter the fundamental structure of the Reich. The law was intended to be in effect for four years.

The passage of the Enabling Act was facilitated by the suspension of civil liberties after the Reichstag fire and the exclusion of communist and socialist deputies. It marked a decisive shift in German governance, dismantling democratic institutions and consolidating power in the hands of the Nazi Party. The law was renewed in subsequent years, solidifying Hitler's absolute rule until the end of World War II.