Question 11
What does “active voting rights” mean in Germany?
German original: Was bedeutet "aktives Wahlrecht" in Deutschland?. In the test, all questions are asked in German.
Answer options
- One can be elected.
- One must go to vote.
- One can vote. — Correct answer
- One must go to the counting of votes.
Explanation
Active voting right (aktives Wahlrecht) means you are entitled to vote. Passive voting right means you are entitled to stand as a candidate. Both rights are anchored in the Basic Law.
Key terms in this question
- Germany — Germany is a country in central Europe with a parliamentary democracy. It is a member of the European Union and its capital is Berlin.
- law / right — A rule established by the state that applies to everyone in a country. It can also mean a personal entitlement or freedom that a person is guaranteed.
- Federal state — A federal state is one of the 16 regions that together form Germany. Each state has its own government, parliament, and areas of responsibility.
- election — An election is a process in which people vote to choose a person or political party for a public office. It is a fundamental right in a democracy.
- active — 'Active' describes someone who participates and takes action themselves rather than just watching. In a political context, it means directly taking part in something, for example by voting or joining a party.
- more active — 'More active' describes someone who is more involved, engaged, or participatory compared to others.
- German — German is the official language of Germany, Austria, and part of Switzerland. It is the native language of approximately 100 million people.
- right to vote / suffrage — The right to vote is the legally guaranteed right of citizens to participate in political elections and to stand as candidates. In Germany, all German nationals aged 18 and over have the right to vote.