The Law on Political Parties contains specific provisions by federal Law concerning party legislation, especially with regard to the constitutional status and functions of political parties as well as the concept of a "political party". Furthermore, it regulates several sectors of the party system, for instance designation and internal organization, equal treatment, principles and the extent of state funding, rendering of accounts and the implementation of the ban on unconstitutional parties.
Law on Political Parties (Party Law) (PDF, 153 KB)
The organization of parties as an association ist regulated by the rules on associations contained in Sections 21 to 79 of the Civil Code. German political parties are generally organized as unregistered associations, i.e. associations without legal personality. However, according to Section 3 of the Party Law and court rulings, political parties organized as unregistered associations have restricted legal capacity. Some German political parties are also organized as registered associations (eingetragener Verein, e.V.).
Extract from the Civil Code (BGB) (PDF, 145 KB)
©2012 The Federal Returning Officer
