The Emperor convenes, adjourns, and closes the sessions of the Federal Council and the Imperial Diet (Reichstag).

They are convened every year.

The Chancellor of the Empire presides in the Federal Council and supervises the conduct of its business.

Proposals of laws are laid before the Reichstag in accordance with the resolutions of the Federal Council, and are supported by members of that Council.

To the Emperor belongs the right of preparing and publishing the laws of the Empire: they must be passed by the Bundesrath and Reichstag, and then receive the assent of the Kaiser.