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[Sheb]

So President of Germany is like Queen of Britain, except even less relevant?

Well, about as much power, but less known. Actually, pretty much every EU country but France got the same distinction between largely ceremonial head of state and head of government.

[smjjames]

I was wrong. And I hope that there are few Poles like him, else we need to dig another line of trenches on the Western border, just in case.

Hey, weren't you supposed to not discuss this?
Also, funny you mention that, there was quite a lot of voices after the Russians "freed" the Crimea and such that Poland should go and "liberate" (since before the whole Ukrainian nationalism thing happened it was almost 100% Polish, and we consider losing it one of worst loss of Poland during creation of new borders) Lwów, but it was kinda stopped because west wouldn't be exactly happy (we did something like that at least once and we were said to be helping Nazis) and if there is someone we hold a bigger grudge against, it is Russia (not Germany though, all in all, they don't usually try to bullshit us that Holocaust never happened EDIT: USUALLY IS THE KEY WORD).

Since when was Crimea almost 100% Polish?

Edit: quote for context.

[SirQuiamus]

More like Merkel's Fourth, or Merkel's Fist. Bioware/EA got an agenda to push.

[Sheb]

Not Crimea, the area of Western Ukraine around Lviv/Lvov/Lwňw. Poland was basically shifter a few hundred kilometers West after WWII.

[Sergarr]

So President of Germany is like Queen of Britain, except even less relevant?

Well, about as much power, but less known. Actually, pretty much every EU country but France got the same distinction between largely ceremonial head of state and head of government.

What's the reason behind doing that, though? In Britain's case, it's understandable, because it's a remnant of monarchy, but it doesn't make sense to have an electable figure (and German President is elected) be ceremonial.

[LordSlowpoke]

veto powers in case they think a bill is against the constitution, signs international treaties, generally is representative

[Sheb]

You get someone whose job is to cut ribbon and represent the country while the head of government can actually go around governing?

To me it seems weirder to have a Prime Minister and a President that share power like in Russia. The potential for stepping on toes seems much higher.

[XXSockXX]

So President of Germany is like Queen of Britain, except even less relevant?

Well, about as much power, but less known. Actually, pretty much every EU country but France got the same distinction between largely ceremonial head of state and head of government.

What's the reason behind doing that, though? In Britain's case, it's understandable, because it's a remnant of monarchy, but it doesn't make sense to have an electable figure (and German President is elected) be ceremonial.

Historical reasons. Initially, in the Weimar Republic, the President was quite powerful, basically a replacement emperor - "Ersatzkaiser". After WW2 it was decided to make the Head of state a less powerful ceremonial figure.

[andrea]

my guess is that in part it is a remnant of monarchy.

[smjjames]

my guess is that in part it is a remnant of monarchy.

For Germany, it would be a really tiny remnant of the monarchy if it was in part.

[mainiac]

Strong presidents in parliamentary systems are more the exception, mostly restricted to South America, the US and France.  The general trend is towards Parliamentary supremacy.  It's not a fact that bodes particularly well for the US, since most presidential systems have had a constitutional crisis every few decades.

[smjjames]

Strong presidents in parliamentary systems are more the exception, mostly restricted to South America, the US and France.  The general trend is towards Parliamentary supremacy.  It's not a fact that bodes particularly well for the US, since most presidential systems have had a constitutional crisis every few decades.

Um, the US isn't a parliamentary system.

Also, we seem to have a constitutional crisis every couple years, or rather lots of smaller crisises than fewer large ones.

[Sheb]

And France is only semi-parliamentary. The US Consitution does a good job of balancing the various branches of government though. The powers of POTUS pale compared to those of the French president.

[Kot]

Awww, the pool changed.
I will now never know if crucifying children is good, good or good.

[notquitethere]

I was wrong. And I hope that there are few Poles like him, else we need to dig another line of trenches on the Western border, just in case.

Hey, weren't you supposed to not discuss this?
Also, funny you mention that, there was quite a lot of voices after the Russians "freed" the Crimea and such that Poland should go and "liberate" (since before the whole Ukrainian nationalism thing happened it was almost 100% Polish, and we consider losing it one of worst loss of Poland during creation of new borders) Lwów, but it was kinda stopped because west wouldn't be exactly happy (we did something like that at least once and we were said to be helping Nazis) and if there is someone we hold a bigger grudge against, it is Russia (not Germany though, all in all, they don't usually try to bullshit us that Holocaust never happened EDIT: USUALLY IS THE KEY WORD).

Since when was Crimea almost 100% Polish?

Edit: quote for context.

Read it again, Kot was saying Lwów is Polish.