A Committee of Inquiry, whose rules are based on the code of criminal procedure, is one of the most important means the Bürgerschaft has of checking the work of the Senate. The support of a quarter of the parliamentarians is needed for one to be set up.
Citizens can influence parliamentary decision-making in Hamburg. The three ways of doing this are popular initiatives, petitions for referendums, and referendums.
The people of Hamburg vote every five years to elect their regional parliament, the Bürgerschaft. You can find a summary of important facts about the elections here.
Members of Parliament are the people’s representatives and join to form parliamentary groups. They vote in parliamentary sittings on Hamburg’s future and can address oral and written questions on public issues to the Senate. They are often in “their” local districts and hold public surgeries.
Staying in touch with local people and always being part of a dialogue about parliament’s political initiatives are important tasks for Members of Parliament. There are lots of opportunities for this.
