konstituierende

Konstituierende is a German term used as an adjective meaning constituting or constitutive, and it also appears as a noun referring to a body charged with creating or adopting a constitution. It is derived from the verb konstituieren, itself from Latin constitutio, and is commonly found in political and constitutional contexts.

In political science, konstituierende Versammlung or konstituierende Nationalversammlung denotes the assembly elected to draft and adopt a new constitution. The primary task of such a body is to establish the basic legal framework of a state or a new political order. After the constitution is written and enacted, the konstituierende body may transform into a regular legislature or be dissolved, depending on the constitutional arrangement. The term is often used alongside verfassunggebende Versammlung or verfassungsgebende Nationalversammlung, with subtle differences in emphasis but frequent overlap in meaning.

A konstituierende Sitzung refers to the first meeting of a newly formed parliament or assembly, during which officers are elected, internal rules are adopted, and procedures for the constitution-drafting process are set in motion. This session marks the transition from an electoral body to a constitutional organ.

Etymologically, konstituieren is formed from Latin roots via German, and konstituierende is primarily used as an adjective. When referring to the body itself, nouns such as Konstituierende or the phrases Konstituierende Versammlung are employed. Related terms include Verfassung, Verfassungsgebung, and verfassunggebende Versammlung.