What does a Chancellor majority mean?
In the first ballot, a majority merely of those present or votes cast is insufficient. Election requires support from more than half of all Bundestag members. This is commonly called the Chancellor majority.
Coalition negotiations can prepare such a majority politically. A coalition agreement is not yet the constitutional election: MPs must actually vote.
The other three answers
Each of these institutions, and the electorate, has a different role.
the Bundesrat
The Bundesrat represents state governments. Electing the Chancellor is not one of its functions.
the Federal Assembly
The Federal Convention elects the Federal President, not the Chancellor.
the people
Eligible voters elect the Bundestag. They do not vote for the chancellorship in a separate direct election.
Article 63 also provides for further voting stages.
If the first nomination fails, special deadlines and further voting opportunities follow. The final stage has differentiated rules for election and appointment. The statement above about a majority of all members expressly concerns the first ballot.
The Federal President initially nominates a candidate and performs the appointment. That participation does not make the President the electing institution.
Article 63 · Basic Law ↗Chancellor election: Bundestag members cast the votes.
Remember the institution and majority together: Bundestag, with more than half of all members in the first ballot.
Three words for this question
- die KanzlermehrheitChancellor majority
- More than half of Bundestag members.
- der Wahlgangballot
- One round of an election.
- der Koalitionsvertragcoalition agreement
- A political agreement between parties on cooperation in government.