Abgeordnete minderen Rechts?

The constitutional and practical relevance of expulsion from parliamentary factions cannot be underestimated, particularly in light of recent cases. While such expulsion formally leaves a member of parliament's free mandate unaffected, it fundamentally alters his parliamentary position, balancing the free mandate against that of the parliamentary group and the effective functioning of parliamentary work. Following a careful analysis of the case law and the rules of procedure of parliamentary factions in the State Parliament (Landtag) of North Rhine-Westphalia, the study develops a general standard for expulsion. Particular emphasis lies on the justiciability of parliamentary faction rules of procedure.