The Basic Law assigns political parties the democratic task of participating in the formation of political will. Other political associations are not mentioned. In light of widespread dissatisfaction with parties, this exclusive focus appears outdated: Why should parties alone, according to the Basic Law, serve as democratic intermediaries that simplify political will formation? Would it not be more appropriate today to open this role to other political associations as well? Jan Keesen critically examines this conception of the Basic Law. He shows that in a highly individualized society, parties are no longer suited to gather citizens' substantive interests and translate them into political decisions. Political associations could assume this role, yet they are ignored by the Basic Law. This reading is not inevitable: both organizational forms provide supportive functions in the formation of political will as democratic intermediaries. They fulfil similar tasks, albeit in different ways. Building on this, Jan Keesen proposes a revised interpretation of the constitutional role of parties and political associations-one that addresses the functional deficits of parties and unlocks the democratic potential of more direct involvement of political associations.