title: Second German Bundestag
text: # Second German Bundestag
  
  The Bundestag is the German federal parliament, and the only federal representative body that is directly elected by the German people. It was established in 1949 by the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany and is the historical successor to the Reichstag. The Second German Bundestag came into being in 1953 and ended in 1957.
  
  ## Dates of Session
  
  1953-1957
  
  * The 2nd Bundestag convened in Bonn on 6 October 1953.
  * The session ended on 6 October 1957.
  
  ## Coalitions
  
  * CDU/CSU and FDP form coalition (311 seats, 63.9%) to reelect Konrad Adenauer as Chancellor of Germany
  
  ## Major political events
  
  * Bundestag reelects Hermann Ehlers as the second President of the Bundestag, 6 October 1953
  * Bundestag reelects Konrad Adenauer Chancellor of Germany, 6 October 1953.
  * Upon Ehlers' death, Bundestag elects Eugen Gerstenmaier third President of the Bundestag, 16 November 1954
  * Bundestag passes first reform of state-funded pension system
  * Bundestag ratifies Treaty of Rome
  * In 1955, constitution is amended to allow for defensive military and conscription over the strong opposition of the SPD minority
  * Germany joins the NATO
  
  ## Officers
  
  * President of the Bundestag - Hermann Ehlers, Eugen Gerstenmaier
  
  ## Seats by Party
  
  | + | CDU/CSU: 243 (45.2%) |
  | - | - |
  | + | SPD: 151 (28.8%) |
  | + | FDP: 48 (9.5%) |
  | + | GB/BHE: 27 (5.9%) |
  | + | DP: 15 (3.3%) |
  | + | Zentrum: 3 (0.8%) |
  | | Total: 487 Seats |
  