Hessische Staatskanzlei

State Chancellery – Tasks and Organization

The State Chancellery is the seat of government in our state and the official residence of the Minister President, who determines policy guidelines.

Tasks

The State Chancellery is a place where important political decisions are made.

Cabinet meetings and more

This is where the ministers of the state government meet for their regular cabinet meetings, chaired by the Minister President.

In addition to the Minister President, the State Chancellery also includes a minister, the Minister for Federal and European Affairs, International Affairs and Debureaucratization, who is also the representative of the State of Hesse to the Federal Government.

Policy-making authority of the Minister President

The Minister-President has primacy within the state government. His political guidelines are binding on every member of the cabinet. In addition, he represents the state externally, promulgates laws, and exercises the right of pardon.

Like many other fundamental political processes—such as the election of the Minister-President by the state parliament and the appointment of ministers—this is laid down in the state constitution.

After the legislative power of the state parliament, the state government has a central position as the executive power in the state's political life. It is at the head of the administration, i.e., the state authorities that are responsible for implementing the laws passed by the state parliament.