The Parlamentarische Rat (parliamentary council) was a predecessor of the west-german Bundestag. Its primary purpose was to prepare a new constitution for Germany. It was elected in 1948 and disassembled once it had finished its purpose, i.e. upon the ratification of the Grundgesetz. Some of its most famous members were Konrad Adenauer (CDU) who later became federal chancellor, and Kurt Schumacher (SPD) who was the leader of the opposition in the next few years to follow. The Parlamentarische Rat gathered in Bonn.