Tag: Berlin Wiki
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Berlin Wiki: Democracy and the Principles of Free Elections
What Does Democracy Mean? A great deal could be written about what democracy is. Put simply, in a democracy, all state authority is derived from the people. This means that the citizens of a country determine its political direction. Germany is a parliamentary and representative democracy: citizens elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf. These elected members of parliament meet…
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Berlin Wiki: Who Influences Political Decisions?
What Is Lobbying? Lobbying is the organised effort by interest groups to influence political decisions. The term is derived from the word “lobby,” referring to the entrance halls of parliaments where representatives of various interests traditionally met with members of parliament to discuss and promote their concerns. Lobbying takes place in almost every area of politics and society. Those involved provide…
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Berlin Wiki: Finding Reliable Information Before You Vote
What Is the Wahl-O-Mat? The Wahl-O-Mat has been provided by the Federal Agency for Civic Education (Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, bpb) since 2002. It is an online voting advice tool that allows users to compare their own political positions with those of political parties in Germany. Anyone using the Wahl-O-Mat can respond to a series of political statements. One example from…
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Berlin Wiki: Understanding Political Parties
What Is an Election Manifesto? Before an election, political parties present their election manifestos. This applies in federal, state, and local elections. In the manifestos, parties set out in writing the goals they intend to pursue. These goals reflect the issues that are important to the party during the upcoming legislative term—that is, the electoral term. The manifesto serves as the…
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Berlin Wiki: Who Votes – and Who Stays Home?
How Many People Participate in Elections? After every election in Germany, one figure receives particular attention: voter turnout, the share of eligible voters who actually cast their ballots. In German public debate, close attention is paid to how voter turnout develops over time. For example, in the 2025 federal election, 82.5 percent of eligible voters across Germany cast their ballots. This…
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Berlin Wiki: From Postal Voting to the Ballot Box
How Does Postal Voting Work? In Germany, voters can choose to vote by post instead of going to a polling station on election day. Information on how to apply for postal voting can be found in the voter notification that eligible voters receive in the weeks before the election. Depending on the municipality, voter notifications may also include a QR code…
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