Staatsregierung

Staatsregierung is the term used for the executive government of a German federal state (Land). It refers to the cabinet and the head of government responsible for implementing laws, directing administration, and representing the state within the federation. The Staatsregierung operates under the state constitution and is distinct from the federal government.

The cabinet is headed by the Ministerpräsident or Ministerpräsidentin (prime minister) and includes several ministers responsible for portfolios such as interior, finance, education, justice, and culture. Ministers are appointed by the head of government with the consent of the state parliament (Landtag) and serve as part of the collective government. The Staatsregierung is typically formed after state elections, and its survival depends on maintaining majority support in the Landtag.

Powers and responsibilities of the Staatsregierung include proposing legislation and the state budget, administering public services, and implementing laws enacted by the Landtag. It oversees state administration, police matters within its sovereignty, education and cultural policy, economic development, and other areas defined by the state constitution. The government also represents the state in dealings with other Länder and with the federal government on matters within its competence, and it issues administrative regulations within its legal scope.

Accountability and removal: The Staatsregierung is collectively responsible to the Landtag. It can be dismissed by a majority vote of no confidence in many states, and in some cases may trigger elections or a dissolution process for the Landtag to form a new government. The exact procedures vary by state constitution.

Usage and scope: The term is standard for the executive of German Länder and is not used for the federal government, which is called the Bundesregierung. Similar concepts exist in other German-speaking regions with different terminologies.