ABSTRACT
A clear distinction can be drawn between the regional chambers of the constitutional regional states examined above and those of the federal states. Although methods of appointment found in the federal chambers vary, their credentials as truly regional chambers is hard to question. Of these federal chambers, the Bundesrats of the Austrian and German republics play a far greater role in national policy making than the Belgian Senate. The influence of these institutions extends far beyond their constitutional role and has a huge impact on the federation itself. It is no exaggeration to state that the Bundesrats are the key institutions in their respective federal systems. In Germany, the Bundesrat is sometimes described as a second government rather than a second chamber. Like all the best satirical comments, this contains a grain of truth.
