The Berlin local government functions on the basis of the Constitution of the Federal State of Berlin which was formulated in the year 1950 in West Berlin. West Berlin was then occupied by the Allied powers-America, Britain and France. After the reunification of East and West Berlin in 1991, the Constitution of the Berlin government was rewritten and scrutinized by a commission to suit the new government structure. This commission was set up in the month of September, 1991 under article 88. The present constitution of the local government was finally proposed in the year 1994.
The amendments that were included in the reviewed constitution include protection of marriage and family.
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It also dealt with the propagation of woman's equality and environmental issues.
Apart from the Constitution, the Berlin House of Representatives form an integral part of the Berlin local government. It has a total of 169 representatives elected for a maximum term of four years. The House of Representatives is bestowed with various responsibilities like the election of the Berlin Mayor and the eight senators. The senators are elected with consultation with the Mayor. It also has the responsibility of administering the budget of Berlin. Needless to say, the house can also dismiss a senator on its own discretion. The senators, the mayor and other governing officials, together oversee the successful operation of the Berlin local government.
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