der  Bürgerentscheid

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbʏʁɡɐʔɛntˌʃaɪt/

🗳️ What exactly is a Bürgerentscheid?

A Bürgerentscheid is an instrument of direct democracy at the municipal level (i.e., in cities and communities) in Germany. It allows eligible citizens to vote directly on an important factual issue. The result is usually binding on the local council (e.g., der Stadtrat).

The article is always der because the noun is masculine (derived from der Entscheid - the decision).

🚨 Attention: Don't confuse it with a Bürgerbegehren, which is the first step to initiate a Bürgerentscheid (collecting signatures). The Bürgerentscheid is the actual vote.

📊 Grammar in Detail: Der Bürgerentscheid

The word "Bürgerentscheid" is a masculine noun. Its declension is as follows:

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

Example Sentences

• Der kommende Bürgerentscheid betrifft den Bau der neuen Bibliothek.
  (The upcoming local referendum concerns the construction of the new library.)
• Die Bürger stimmten in einem Bürgerentscheid über das Projekt ab.
  (The citizens voted on the project in a local referendum.)
• Das Ergebnis des Bürgerentscheids war eindeutig.
  (The result of the local referendum was clear.)
• In den letzten Jahren gab es mehrere Bürgerentscheide in unserer Stadt.
  (There have been several local referendums in our city in recent years.)

🗣️ Usage in Context

The term Bürgerentscheid is primarily used in political and administrative contexts, specifically when discussing municipal matters.

• Typical situations: Discussions about local construction projects, infrastructure measures, changes to statutes (Satzungen), or other important local issues where citizens are to be directly involved or demand it.
• Context: Often found in news reports, political debates, official announcements (amtliche Bekanntmachungen), and citizens' initiatives (Bürgerinitiativen).
• Distinction: While a Referendum or Volksabstimmung often takes place at the state (Land) or federal (Bund) level, the Bürgerentscheid is limited to the municipality (Kommune). A Bürgerbegehren is the petition to hold a Bürgerentscheid.

🧠 Mnemonic Devices for Bürgerentscheid

For the article 'der': Think: It's der Bürger (the MALE citizen - masculine 'der') who makes der Entscheid (the decision).

For the meaning: Imagine all the Bürger (citizens) coming together to make an Entscheid (decision) about an important issue in their city – that's the Bürgerentscheid (citizens' decision = local referendum).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different terms:

• Bürgerbegehren: (Citizens' petition) The process of collecting signatures to initiate a Bürgerentscheid.
• Volksentscheid: (Referendum/Plebiscite) A vote at the state or federal level.
• Bürgerinitiative: (Citizens' initiative) A group of citizens advocating for a specific political or social cause (which might lead to a Bürgerbegehren).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Beamte nie an einem Bürgerentscheid teil?

(Why do civil servants never participate in a local referendum?)

Weil sie es gewohnt sind, dass Entscheidungen über sie getroffen werden, nicht von ihnen! 😉

(Because they are used to decisions being made *about* them, not *by* them!)

📜 A Poem about the Bürgerentscheid

Die Stadt, sie plant, der Rat debattiert,
(The city plans, the council debates,)
doch mancher Bürger ist irritiert.
(But many a citizen is irritated.)
Zu teuer? Falsch? Nicht gut durchdacht?
(Too expensive? Wrong? Not well thought out?)
Da wird ein Begehren entfacht.
(Then a petition is sparked.)

Genug Stimmen sind schnell gefunden,
(Enough votes are quickly found,)
in ernsten, aber friedlichen Runden.
(In serious, but peaceful rounds.)
Nun kommt's zur Wahl, ganz offiziell,
(Now comes the vote, quite official,)
die Frage steht klar auf dem Zettel schnell.
(The question is clear on the ballot quick.)

Der Bürgerentscheid, er gibt die Macht,
(The local referendum, it gives the power,)
direkt zu sagen, was man dacht'.
(To say directly what one thought.)
Ja oder Nein, die Kreuze zählen,
(Yes or No, the crosses count,)
die Bürger selbst ihr Schicksal wählen.
(The citizens themselves choose their fate.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin kein König und kein Rat,
(I am no king and no council,)
doch meine Stimme hat Gewicht in der Stadt.
(But my voice carries weight in the city.)
Wenn Bürger uneins sind über einen Plan,
(When citizens disagree about a plan,)
tret ich auf den Plan, fang von vorne an.
(I enter the scene, start anew.)
Mit Ja oder Nein wird abgestimmt,
(With Yes or No, the vote is cast,)
wodurch die Gemeinde die Richtung bestimmt.
(By which the community determines its path.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?

Lösung / Solution: Der Bürgerentscheid (The local referendum)

🧩 Other Interesting Info

Word Composition

The word "Bürgerentscheid" is a compound noun, made up of:

• Bürger: Meaning citizen(s) of a community or state.
• Entscheid: Meaning decision or the result of a vote.

Together, the meaning is: A decision made directly by the citizens.

Legal Basis (Rechtliche Grundlage)

The specific rules for Bürgerentscheide (e.g., the required number of signatures for a petition (Bürgerbegehren), topics eligible for a vote, binding effect) are defined in the municipal codes (Gemeindeordnungen) of the respective German federal states (Bundesländer) and can vary.