88. The parliamentary opposition in the German Bundestag …

Answer options

1. exercises oversight over the government.
2. decides who becomes Federal Minister.
3. determines who sits in the Bundesrat.
4. nominates the heads of government of the Länder (Minister-Presidents).

Explanation

Although the “opposition” is not a constitutional organ in its own right, in the Basic Law’s system of parliamentary government it performs a core function of scrutinizing and checking the executive. Its powers derive from governmental accountability to Parliament (Art. 20(2) GG) and from specific oversight tools, including minor/major interpellations, committees of inquiry that a one‑quarter minority can compel (Art. 44 GG), and the constructive vote of no confidence (Art. 67 GG). By contrast, it neither controls the appointment of federal ministers (Art. 64 GG) nor the composition of the Bundesrat, which is made up of members of the Land governments (Art. 51 GG), nor the selection of the Länder heads of government, who are elected by the Land parliaments. Through budgetary scrutiny and public debate, the opposition secures transparency and accountability.