der  Kabinettsbeschluss

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/kabiˈnɛtsbəˌʃlʊs/

📜 What exactly is a Kabinettsbeschluss?

A Kabinettsbeschluss (article: der) is a formal decision made collectively by a government cabinet, meaning the group of ministers led by the head of government (e.g., the Bundeskanzler in Germany). These decisions often concern draft laws (Gesetzesvorlagen), regulations (Verordnungen), political strategies, or important administrative acts.

It represents a central act of government work. The decision typically binds the members of the cabinet politically.

⚠️ It's important to note that a Kabinettsbeschluss is not automatically a law (Gesetz). Often, it's just the first step, such as agreeing on a draft bill, which then needs to be debated and passed by parliament (Bundestag).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Der Kabinettsbeschluss in Detail

The word „Kabinettsbeschluss“ is a masculine noun. Its article is der.

Declension

Example Sentences

• Der neueste Kabinettsbeschluss betrifft die Klimapolitik.
  (The latest cabinet decision concerns climate policy.)
• Die Details des Kabinettsbeschlusses wurden der Presse mitgeteilt.
  (The details of the cabinet decision were announced to the press.)
• Die Minister stimmten dem Kabinettsbeschluss nach langer Diskussion zu.
  (The ministers agreed to the cabinet decision after a long discussion.)
• Die Opposition kritisierte den Kabinettsbeschluss scharf.
  (The opposition sharply criticized the cabinet decision.)
• Viele wichtige Kabinettsbeschlüsse wurden in dieser Legislaturperiode gefasst.
  (Many important cabinet decisions were made during this legislative period.)

🗣️ Usage in Context

The term „Kabinettsbeschluss“ is primarily used in political and journalistic contexts.

• Political Reporting: Newspapers, news broadcasts, and political analyses frequently report on Kabinettsbeschlüsse to inform the public about government decisions.
• Government Work: Within ministries and the government itself, the term is common for designating decisions made at the cabinet level.
• Distinction: It's important to distinguish the Kabinettsbeschluss from other political acts:
  • Gesetz (Law): A law is passed by parliament (legislature) and has general validity. A Kabinettsbeschluss can prepare a law but is not one itself.
  • Verordnung (Regulation/Ordinance): A regulation is often issued by the executive (government or ministry) based on a law and regulates details. A Kabinettsbeschluss can also be or decide upon the enactment of a Verordnung.
  • Ministerentscheidung (Ministerial Decision): A decision made by a single minister within their area of responsibility is not a Kabinettsbeschluss.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article 'der': Think of 'der Beschluss' (the decision). Many German nouns ending in '-schluss' are masculine (der Entschluss, der Beschluss, der Zusammenschluss). The cabinet makes the decision (using the masculine accusative 'den'). Imagine the cabinet is led by 'der Kanzler'.

Meaning: Picture the Cabinet (Kabinett) sitting around a table making a formal decision (Beschluss). It's the formal decision of the cabinet.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms for Kabinettsbeschluss

Synonyms (Similar Meaning):

• Regierungsbeschluss: (Government decision) Very similar, emphasizes the government as a whole.
• Ministerratsbeschluss: (Council of Ministers decision) Often used synonymously, especially in Austria or at the EU level.
• Kabinettentscheidung: (Cabinet decision) A slightly less formal term for the same thing.

Antonyms/Contrasts (Opposite or Different Concepts):

• Parlamentsbeschluss / Gesetzesbeschluss: (Parliamentary decision / Law resolution) A decision by the parliament (legislative), not the government (executive).
• Einzelentscheidung (eines Ministers): (Individual decision (of a minister)) A decision not made by the entire cabinet.
• Referentenentwurf: (Ministerial draft / working draft) An initial draft of a law or regulation from a ministry, not yet a decided matter.
• Unentschlossenheit / Uneinigkeit im Kabinett: (Indecision / Disagreement in the cabinet) The opposite of a collective decision.

⚠️ Similar but Different Terms:

• Beschlussfähigkeit: (Quorum) The requirement for a body (like the cabinet) to be able to make valid decisions at all (enough members present).
• Grundsatzbeschluss: (Decision in principle) A decision that sets general guidelines but does not yet constitute detailed regulation.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum dauern Kabinettsbeschlüsse manchmal so lange?
Weil jeder Minister erst einmal seinen eigenen Senf dazugeben muss – und dann streiten sie sich über das richtige Rezept! 😂

(Why do cabinet decisions sometimes take so long?
Because every minister first has to add their own two cents [literally: 'mustard'] – and then they argue about the right recipe!)

✍️ Poem about the Decision

Im hohen Haus, das Kabinett tagt,
um Politik wird heiß geklagt.
Man ringt um Worte, stimmt dann ab,
was nun Gesetz wird, knapp und knapp.

Der Kabinettsbeschluss steht fest,
ob er dem Volke wohl gefällt, der Test.
Gedruckt in Akten, dick und schwer,
so regiert man, bitte sehr!

(In the high house, the cabinet meets,
About politics, there are heated bleats.
They wrestle with words, then take a vote,
On what becomes law, note by note.

The cabinet decision is set,
If the people like it, the test is met.
Printed in files, thick and vast,
That's how they govern, meant to last!)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich werde von Ministern gemacht,
hab oft an ein Gesetz gedacht.
Im Kabinett werd' ich geboren,
wer hat das letzte Wort erkoren?
Bin weder Gesetz noch reine Tat,
doch wichtig für den ganzen Staat.

Was bin ich?

(I am made by ministers,
Often have thought of a law's registers.
In the cabinet, I am born,
Who has the final say sworn?
I am neither law nor pure deed,
But important for the state's need.

What am I?)

Solution: Der Kabinettsbeschluss (The cabinet decision)

🧩 Other Interesting Details

Word Composition

The word „Kabinettsbeschluss“ is a compound noun, formed from:

• Das Kabinett: (The Cabinet) Originally a small private room (from French cabinet), later the advisory council of a ruler, today the team of government ministers.
• Der Beschluss: (The Decision/Resolution) A decision made after deliberation (from the verb beschließen - to decide, to resolve).

The connecting 's' („Kabinett-s-beschluss“) links the two parts.

Relevance in the Political System

In parliamentary democracies like Germany, Kabinettsbeschlüsse are an expression of the principle of collective responsibility (Kollegialprinzip) in government. Although the Chancellor (Kanzler) has the power to set policy guidelines (Richtlinienkompetenz), many important decisions are formally made and supported by the entire cabinet.