A state can not act itself, it needs persons (usually members of political parties) as state organs, which act vicarious for it. The highest organs of the Federal Republic, the highest federal organs are directly specified in the Basic Law.
| Figure | Bundestag | Bundesrat | Federal President | Federal Government | Federal Constitutional Court |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of members | 598 + overhang mandates | 69 | 1 | 1 Chancellor + x Federal Ministers | 2 x 8 |
| Election | Election by the people | No election | By Federal Convention | Chancellor by Bundestag | One half by Bundestag, other half by Bundesrat |
| Term of office | 4 years | Forever | 5 years | 4 years | 12 years |
| Mandate | free | imperative | - | - | - |
| Location | Berlin | Berlin | Berlin | Berlin | Karlsruhe |
| Task | legislation | legislation | Head of state | executive | jurisdiction |