Article 79 (3) of the Basic Law calls for a fundamental participation of the Länder in federal legislation. The effect of this provision on the introduction of direct democratic elements into the Basic Law is now at the centre of the debate on direct democracy. This paper examines all conceivable ways of reconciling democracy and federalism on this point. The main focus is on the discussion of the federal quorum, which is favoured by many as a solution, following the example of the Swiss estates. It is shown that this neither meets the requirements of Article 79 (3) of the Basic Law nor can it be reconciled with the democratic majority rule. The author sees the only way that is compatible with both the principle of democracy and the principle of the federal state as being to leave the countries out in referendums and to put this on the agenda.