Members of the German Bundestag are elected in general, direct, free, equal and secret elections. They are representatives of the whole people; they are not bound by any instructions, only by their conscience. In line with their party allegiances they form parliamentary groups. Freedom of conscience and the requirements of party solidarity sometimes collide, but even if in such a situation a member feels obliged to leave his party he keeps his seat in the Bundestag. This is the clearest indication that members of the Bundestag are independent.

The relative strengths of the parliamentary groups determine the composition of the committees. The President (Speaker) of the Bundestag is elected from the ranks of the strongest parliamentary group, in keeping with German constitutional tradition. Members of the Bundestag are paid remuneration ensuring their independence and reflecting their status as MPs. Anyone who has been a member of the Bundestag for at least eight years receives a pension upon reaching retirement age.