das
Wahlkampfthema
🗳️ What Exactly is a 'Wahlkampfthema'?
A Wahlkampfthema (noun, neuter) is a specific issue, problem, or point of contention that is particularly emphasized and discussed by political parties or candidates during an Wahlkampf (election campaign) to win votes. These are the central points argued and debated in the run-up to an election.
The article is always das, because the base word Thema (topic, theme) is neuter (das Thema).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ma → mostly neutral.
📊 Grammar in Detail: Declension of 'das Wahlkampfthema'
The word "Wahlkampfthema" is a neuter noun (sächlich) and is declined as follows:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | das | Wahlkampfthema |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Wahlkampfthemas |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Wahlkampfthema |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | das | Wahlkampfthema |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Wahlkampfthemen |
| Genitive | der | Wahlkampfthemen |
| Dative | den | Wahlkampfthemen |
| Accusative | die | Wahlkampfthemen |
Example Sentences
- Die soziale Gerechtigkeit war das zentrale Wahlkampfthema der letzten Legislaturperiode. (Social justice was the central election campaign topic of the last legislative period.)
- Die Parteien stritten heftig über die verschiedenen Wahlkampfthemen. (The parties argued fiercely about the various election campaign topics.)
- Der Umweltschutz entwickelte sich unerwartet zu einem wichtigen Wahlkampfthema. (Environmental protection unexpectedly developed into an important election campaign topic.)
- In der Podiumsdiskussion wurden viele Wahlkampfthemen angesprochen. (Many election campaign topics were addressed in the panel discussion.)
🗣️ How is 'Wahlkampfthema' Used?
The term "Wahlkampfthema" is primarily used in the context of politics and elections (Wahlen).
- Political Debates: Refers to the central issues debated by parties and candidates (e.g., Wirtschaft (economy), Umwelt (environment), Soziales (social issues), Sicherheit (security)).
- Media Coverage: Journalists analyze which topics dominate the Wahlkampf and how they are framed by the political actors.
- Strategic Planning: Parties strategically select Wahlkampfthemen to appeal to specific voter groups or to differentiate themselves from competitors.
- Distinction: A Wahlkampfthema is often more specific than a general policy area (Politikfeld). It's an aspect actively used in the campaign. In contrast, a Randthema (marginal topic) has less prominence.
One often speaks of "making" a topic into a Wahlkampfthema (ein Thema zum Wahlkampfthema machen) or that a topic "becomes" a Wahlkampfthema (ein Thema wird zum Wahlkampfthema).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Remember the base word: it's das Thema (the topic/theme). The election campaign (Wahlkampf) doesn't change the gender of the topic. Therefore: das Wahlkampfthema.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine politicians fighting (Kampf) during the election (Wahl) for attention on their most important topic (Thema). That's their Wahl-Kampf-Thema (election campaign topic).
🔁 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Wahlkampfschlager: Often a particularly popular or catchy election campaign topic.
- Kernthema: A core topic, a central issue (not only in campaigns).
- Hauptthema: The main topic in a discussion or campaign.
- Streitpunkt: A point of contention (can be a Wahlkampfthema).
- Agenda-Punkt (im Wahlkampf): A topic deliberately placed on the political agenda during the campaign.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Randthema: A marginal topic, an issue of little importance or attention in the campaign.
- Nebensächlichkeit: Something unimportant, a triviality.
- Konsensthema: A topic on which there is broad agreement (rarely becomes a contested Wahlkampfthema).
- Dauerbrenner (außerhalb des Wahlkampfs): A perennial issue, always relevant but not necessarily specific to one campaign.
⚠️ Caution: A politisches Thema (political topic) is not automatically a Wahlkampfthema. It only becomes one when actively used in the election campaign.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Politiker den anderen: "Was ist dein liebstes Wahlkampfthema?"
Antwortet der andere: "Die Wahlversprechen der Konkurrenz – die sind am einfachsten zu widerlegen!" 😉
(One politician asks another: "What's your favorite election campaign topic?"
The other replies: "The election promises of the competition – they are the easiest to refute!") 😉
✍️ A Poem About the Word
Der Wahlkampf naht, die Luft vibriert,
Ein jedes Wort wird abgewogen,
Das Wahlkampfthema wird kreiert,
Mal wahr, mal kühn, mal leicht verwogen.
Mal Steuern, Rente, Klima, Job,
Mal Sicherheit, mal Bildungswesen,
Es wird gekämpft, mal fein, mal grob,
Wer kann die Wählergunst erlesen?
(The campaign nears, the air vibrates,
Each word is weighed with care,
The election topic is created,
Sometimes true, bold, or slightly skewed there.)
(Sometimes taxes, pensions, climate, jobs,
Sometimes security, sometimes education,
The fight is on, with finesse or throbs,
Who can win the voters' elation?)
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich bin im Wahlkampf heiß begehrt,
Diskutiert, gelobt, oft auch verkehrt.
Parteien nutzen mich mit Macht,
Habe manches Feuer schon entfacht.
Ich bin der Kern, um den sich's dreht,
Bis der Wähler zur Urne geht.
Was bin ich? (Auflösung: das Wahlkampfthema)
(I am highly sought after in the campaign,
Discussed, praised, often also proclaimed in vain.
Parties use me with might,
I have ignited many a fiery fight.
I am the core around which things revolve,
Until the voter goes to the poll.)
(What am I?
Answer: das Wahlkampfthema / the election campaign topic)
🧩 Word Composition and More
Word Composition:
The word "Wahlkampfthema" is a compound noun (ein Kompositum), made up of three parts:
- Die Wahl: Refers to the act of choosing/voting or the election period.
- Der Kampf: Used here metaphorically for the struggle, the competition for votes.
- Das Thema: The subject, the content of the debate.
Together, the meaning emerges: a topic that is central to the fight (Kampf) for votes in an election (Wahl).
Trivia:
Typical Wahlkampfthemen in Germany often include economic policy (Wirtschaftspolitik), social security systems (soziale Sicherungssysteme like pensions and healthcare), environmental and climate protection (Umwelt- und Klimaschutz), migration policy (Migrationspolitik), and internal security (Innere Sicherheit). However, the emphasis can shift significantly depending on the political situation and the specific election.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Wahlkampfthema?
The noun "Wahlkampfthema" is a compound word. Since the base noun "Thema" (topic) is neuter, the correct article is always das Wahlkampfthema.