Blockade policy
A blockade policy aims to prevent government projects with which it seeks to achieve a better starting position. The blockade is usually carried out by the opposition if it has a qualified majority in the Federal Council . Sometimes, however, party friends also block unpopular decisions.
To outsiders, a blockade policy often appears as if the opposition's goal is to portray the government as incapable and unable to assert itself. Before elections in particular, there seems to be a great temptation to negatively influence the results of the governing parties through a blockade policy. This approach is particularly effective in the case of unpopular decisions that impose cuts on the population in the financial area or in state benefits.
The blockade, however, is mutual. It often seems as if the governing coalition rejects the proposals of the Bundesrat majority on principle by using the majorities in the Bundestag and in the committees for itself.
