ABSTRACT
One short sentence in the German Basic Law is dedicated to the appointment and dismissal of ministers: 'Federal Ministers shall be appointed and dismissed by the Federal President upon the proposal of the Federal Chancellor' (Article 64 I of the Constitution). 1 This norm leaves ample room for inter- and intra-party bargaining when it comes to the process of cabinet formation and the selection of ministers. It also grants the Federal Chancellor formally unlimited decision-making autonomy concerning the sacking of ministers. 2
