The annual general meeting of a German stock corporation must be called at least thirty days in advance. With the notice, the management board and the supervisory board must publish their proposals for the items to be voted on. For some items, such as elections, only the supervisory board makes the proposal. Shareholders therefore receive the agenda and the draft decisions a month ahead. The law then closes the door on surprises. Über Gegenstände der Tagesordnung, die nicht ordnungsgemäß bekanntgemacht sind, dürfen keine Beschlüsse gefaßt werden. No resolutions may be passed on agenda items that were not properly announced.