Article 52 of the Bavarian Constitution states: "A State Chancellery exists to support the Minister President and the State Government in their constitutional duties." Its tasks are described in detail in the "Regulation on the allocation of responsibilities of the Bavarian State Government".
The Bavarian State Chancellery
- supports the Minister President in determining policy guidelines in cooperation with the state ministries involved,
- coordinates the activities of the state ministries,
- prepares meetings of the Council of Ministers and decisions of the State Government,
- processes applications, statements and decisions of the Minister President and the State Government,
- informs the public about the work of the Bavarian State Government,
- coordinates legislation, for example the drafting of laws and ordinances,
- is responsible for dealing with resolutions of the State Parliament,
- concludes state treaties and administrative agreements with the governments of other states,
- performs tasks relating to the relationship between the Free State of Bavaria, the Bundeswehr and foreign armed forces,
- represents Bavaria to the outside world,
- maintains contacts with heads of state and governments of non-German states as well as with foreign representations in Bavaria,
- is responsible for state visits and state receptions,
- organizes the presentation of awards by the Minister President,
- participates in the presentation of awards by the Federal President,
- is responsible for bureaucracy reduction, broadcasting and media policy,
- is responsible for the interdepartmental training of senior management (LEAT).
The Bavarian State Chancellery is headquartered in Munich at Franz-Josef-Strauß-Ring 1 and also includes the Prinz-Carl-Palais. It is mainly used for the representative duties of the Minister President. The Bavarian State Chancellery also has two branch offices in Berlin and Brussels.
The highest state authority in the Free State of Bavaria and seat of the Bavarian Minister President is headed by a cabinet member with ministerial rank.
In addition to media and broadcasting policy, the Head of the State Chancellery is responsible for the federal affairs of the Free State of Bavaria. In particular, he is responsible for voting and representing Bavaria in the Bundesrat. He also coordinates the reduction of bureaucracy across all departments. In addition to Munich, he is based in Berlin at the Representation of the Free State of Bavaria to the Federal Government.
The Minister of State for European Affairs and International Affairs is responsible for the Free State of Bavaria's European affairs. He coordinates European policy, maintains Bavaria's external relations and monitors important political events in the European Union. In addition to Munich, he is also based in Brussels at the Representation of the Free State of Bavaria to the European Union.