The ministers of education of the sixteen states coordinate their policy in the Kultusministerkonferenz, the KMK. Since 2025, the school ministers meet in a conference under its roof. Its rules require unanimity for decisions that affect the state budgets, that serve uniform standards and mobility in education, that concern the conference itself, or that set up joint institutions. Other decisions need at least 13 of the 16 votes.
In 2003, the KMK’s secretary general warned that under unanimity ein einziges Land, a single state, could in theory block national education standards. In December 2004, a reform moved statements, recommendations and reports to a two-thirds majority. For decisions that cost money, the old rule stayed. Für finanzwirksame Beschlüsse bleibt das Einstimmigkeitsprinzip unabdingbar. For decisions with financial effect, unanimity remains indispensable.
In 2024, the KMK reorganized itself and kept unanimity in principle. In September 2024, it added a fallback for decisions on its own budget and its institutions. If unanimity fails, a clarification procedure follows. At the next round, 13 votes are enough.