Chapter Two: Some Common Features among federations

A three-fold classification can be made in this respect:

1). The two chambers are co-equal in power and are directly elected

USA, Switzerland

- It has equal powers in all bills

- approval of treaties concluded by the President (2/3)

- role in the appointment of ambassadors, or other ministers, consuls, and judges of the Supreme Court

 

Chapter Three Federations and Second Chambers

2). The German Bundesrat belongs to the second group.

- It represents one of the more effective houses in a parliamentary system. Composed of representatives of the executives of the Länder, usually ministers of the Land cabinet,

• it has perfectly combined the participatory role as well as the protection function.
• Its particular membership as well as the fact that it has absolute veto over all federal legislation involving administration by the Länder has contributed to the success of this house

- The type of bill proposed determines the power exercised by the Bundesrat

Chapter Three Federations and Second ChambersChapter Three Federations and Second Chambers

3). The second chamber of India with subsidiary power and playing a precipitate function in the law-making process represents a third group

What is the Difference Between German and Indian Experience?

Chapter Three Federations and Second Chambers

Ethiopia?

• With a completely different role, the Ethiopian HoF appears to stand as a fourth category
• HoF does not have a legislative function
• Some of the important powers conferred to the House under Article 62 include constitutional interpretation and organizing the Council of Constitutional Inquiry

Chapter Three Federations and Second Chambers

• Constitutional interpretation(Ethiopia) is considered as a political rather than a judicial function
• Explanations can be inferred from Articles 8 and 61.
• Article 8 stipulates, ‘All sovereign power resides in the nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia.’
• And Article 61(1) provides the fact that the House is composed of such diverse nationalities.
• By inference it can be concluded that, if sovereignty is placed on the nationalities and because the nationalities are sources of sovereignty, the house, which reflects their sovereignty, must interpret the constitution.