Other Bodies

In order to prepare decisions on extensive and significant issues, the Landtag may decide to set up Commissions of Enquiry. These instruments of parliamentary control over the Land government are convened when requested by at least one third of the MPs. Half of the commission may be made up of independent experts. After completing its work or at the latest three months before the end of the electoral term, each Commission of Enquiry is to submit a written final report to the Landtag.

Furthermore, there are a number of special bodies in the Landtag, which exercise important parliamentary control rights.

According to Section 23 of the Brandenburg Law on the Protection of the Constitution (Verfassungsschutzgesetz), the Land government is subject to control by the Parliamentary Control Commission (PKK) in matters relating to the protection of the constitution. The opposition has to be adequately represented here. The Land government informs the PKK about the general activities of the office for the protection of the constitution, the situation report and events of particular importance and, at the request of the commission, about individual cases. The Commission has a right to this information.

Another parliamentary control body is the G10 Commission. It was named after Article 10 of the Basic Law, which provides for the restriction of the privacy of correspondence, post and telecommunications in individual cases regulated by law. Its task is to review any restriction measures ordered by the Ministry of the Interior. If the Commission deems such an order to be inadmissible or unnecessary, the Ministry is to revoke it without delay.

Article 25 of the constitution of the Land of Brandenburg guarantees the Sorbian/Wendish people the right to protect, preserve and cultivate their national identity and their ancestral settlement area. This right includes the promotion and teaching of the Sorbian/Wendish language and culture as well as the participation of Sorbian/Wendish representatives in legislation on Sorbs/Wends affairs. In order to guarantee this right, a Council for Sorb/Wend Affairs is formed for the duration of a electoral term from members of the Sorbian/Wendish community. The Council advises the Landtag. It has the task of safeguarding the interests of the Sorbs/Wends in all discussion items that may affect their rights.