Bavaria's ruling party, the Christian Social Union, credits direct democracy with giving citizens a way to disagree with the government on single issues without voting for the opposition.

ECONOMIST: If you thought Germany did not do referendums, think again

CDU's sister party in Bavaria, has qualms of its own.

ECONOMIST: The prospects for tax reform recede, unfortunately

Long experience has enabled the party to recruit young talent, helping it to stay in unbroken sole charge of Bavaria for 45 years.

ECONOMIST: Bavarian politics