Which of the following is a weakness of the Weimar Constitution?

The Weimar Constitution had several features that contributed to its instability, and one significant weakness was the strong executive power without sufficient accountability. The constitution allowed the president to have considerable authority, including the power to appoint and dismiss chancellors and to rule by decree in times of emergency. This concentration of power in the hands of the executive created opportunities for authoritarian rule, undermining the democratic principles the constitution aimed to uphold. In practice, this often led to political instability, as various presidents took advantage of these powers, marginalizing the role of the Reichstag (the parliament), and contributing to the perception that the government was unresponsive to the needs and wishes of the electorate.

The other options do not accurately capture significant weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution. Unrestricted media rights were not a characteristic of the constitution; there were limitations on media, especially during political crises. Coalition governments were often a necessity due to the fragmented political landscape, reflecting a challenge rather than a design flaw. Lastly, while the direct election of the president was a progressive feature that aimed to involve the populace in governance, it also ended up reinforcing the potential for strong executive power, not demonstrating a weakness in the same way. Therefore, the concentration of executive power without accountability stands out as a