Surveillance Powers Reform Act of 2013

Proposed by Liberal Union · fronted by Benjamin Zimmermann

Opened

12 Nov 2013

Voting closes

11 Jan 2014

Chambers

2 legislatures

Articles

1 change

Rationale

Targeted Surveillance reform allows court-approved, strictly necessary investigations into serious threats, while maintaining strong privacy protections. An independent oversight commissioner ensures accountability and prevents misuse, balancing security needs with civil liberties.

Proposed Changes

	Law	Previous		Proposed
1	State Surveillance Powers	Strict privacy protections (right to encryption; no bulk data collection; facial recognition banned)		Targeted surveillance (court order required; independent oversight commissioner)

1

State Surveillance Powers

Previous law

Strict privacy protections (right to encryption; no bulk data collection; facial recognition banned)

Targeted surveillance (court order required; independent oversight commissioner)

Proposer

Party

Liberal Union

Liberal Union stands for freedom, economic responsibility, and a strong but limited government focused on growth and stability.

Core pillars

Benjamin Zimmermann

Activist · Age 53

2,713 social followers

A former party staffer turned rising star, Benjamin Zimmermann rose through the ranks by mastering media strategy and leveraging his ambition to serve loyally—always positioning himself as the party’s future voice.

🚀 Ambitious 🤝 Loyal 📺 Media Savvy ⚖️ Pragmatist

Timeline

Draft

12 November 2013
Vote Open

12 November 2013
Vote Closed

11 January 2014
Did Not Become Law

11 January 2014

Vote tally

Live tally across each chamber. Weighted by seats held.

Bundesrat

Failed

16Yes 38No 15Not voted 69 seats

For: 16 / 69 seats (23.2%)

Against: 38 · Abstained: 0 · Not voted: 15

50.1% of those voting must vote in favour (actual = 29.6%)

Party	Seats	Vote	Reason
Alliance For Digital Freedom And Rights	24	No	No reason given
Left Forward	7	No	No reason given
Liberal Union Proposer	3	Yes	No reason given
National Humanist Platform	3	Yes	No reason given
New National Order	10	Yes	No reason given
People's Democratic Alliance	7	No	No reason given
Empty seats	5	Not voted

Bundestag

Failed

229Yes 342No 79Not voted 650 seats

For: 229 / 650 seats (35.2%)

Against: 342 · Abstained: 0 · Not voted: 79

50.1% of those voting must vote in favour (actual = 40.1%)

Party	Seats	Vote	Reason
Alliance For Digital Freedom And Rights	168	No	No reason given
Left Forward	108	No	No reason given
Liberal Union Proposer	55	Yes	No reason given
National Humanist Platform	44	Yes	No reason given
New National Order	130	Yes	No reason given
People's Democratic Alliance	66	No	No reason given
Empty seats	52	Not voted

Voting record

Every vote must state a public reason. Most recent first.

No votes cast yet.