Critical questions are a parliamentary function.
In parliament, opposition refers to forces that do not support the government. They can seek information, publicly scrutinise government plans and contribute their own proposals to political debate.
Scrutiny requires information. The Bundestag therefore has instruments such as written questions, group interpellations and committees of inquiry. Each instrument has its own procedures and requirements.
The other three answers
Opposition does not thereby acquire other institutions' appointment powers.
decides who becomes federal minister.
Federal ministers are appointed by the Federal President on the Chancellor's proposal. The opposition does not independently decide who holds those offices.
determines who sits in the Bundesrat.
State governments appoint Bundesrat members. The Bundestag opposition does not determine that membership.
proposes the heads of government of the states.
Government formation in the states follows their respective constitutions. Bundestag opposition status does not itself confer the role of nominating state government heads.
Scrutiny is not exclusively the opposition's task.
The entire Bundestag scrutinises government. Opposition performs this role particularly visibly because it does not support government policy as the governing majority.
The catalogue answer “controls the government” is retained. In this context it means “scrutinises” or “holds to account”, not taking over leadership of government.
Government scrutiny · German Bundestag ↗Opposition questions government and holds it to account.
Democratic disagreement is an established parliamentary function.
Three words for this question
- die Oppositionopposition
- Parliamentary forces that do not support the government.
- Rechenschaft ablegento account for one's actions
- To explain one's actions and their results.
- die Anfrageparliamentary question or interpellation
- A regulated parliamentary instrument for obtaining government information.