Organisation
Federal Minister Cem Özdemir is provided with technical support by the ministerial staff. The staff are headed by Silvia Bender, the State Secretary. The Parliamentary State Secretaries, who are appointed by the Federal President at the suggestion of the Federal Chancellor, ensure the exchange of information between the government and parliament.
They represent the Minister in the Bundestag, the Bundesrat and the parliamentary groups, and also in certain specialist areas. Other specialist expertise is provided by committees and research institutions.