der  Koalitionsvertrag

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/koaliˈt͡si̯oːnsfɛɐ̯ˌtʁaːk/

📜 What exactly is a Koalitionsvertrag?

A Koalitionsvertrag (masculine noun, article: der) is a contract or agreement between two or more political parties planning to form a government together (a so-called Koalition or coalition) after an election. In this document, the parties outline their political goals, projects, and the distribution of ministerial posts for the upcoming legislative period.

It serves as the political foundation for their joint governmental work. Although it's not legally enforceable in court, it carries significant political weight and commitment for the participating parties.

There is only one article, der, for Koalitionsvertrag.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar: Declension of Koalitionsvertrag

The word Koalitionsvertrag is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

1. Der neue Koalitionsvertrag wurde gestern der Öffentlichkeit vorgestellt. (The new coalition agreement was presented to the public yesterday.)
2. Die Parteien verhandelten wochenlang über den Inhalt des Koalitionsvertrages. (The parties negotiated for weeks about the content of the coalition agreement.)
3. Dem Koalitionsvertrag müssen die Parteitage noch zustimmen. (The party conferences still have to approve the coalition agreement.)
4. Die Opposition kritisierte den vorgelegten Koalitionsvertrag scharf. (The opposition sharply criticized the presented coalition agreement.)
5. In der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik gab es viele verschiedene Koalitionsverträge. (In the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, there have been many different coalition agreements.)

🗣️ Usage in Political Context

The term Koalitionsvertrag is firmly established in political discourse in Germany (and other countries with parliamentary systems).

• Context: It is primarily used in connection with forming governments after elections when no single party achieves an absolute majority.
• Application: People talk about aushandeln (negotiating), unterzeichnen (signing), vorstellen (presenting), or umsetzen (implementing) a Koalitionsvertrag. It forms the basis for the government's work and is often cited to justify or criticize political decisions.
• Distinction: It is more specific than a mere Absprache (informal agreement) or Vereinbarung (agreement), as it contains detailed political plans for an entire legislative period. However, it is not a law but rather a political self-commitment by the coalition partners.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

1. Article: Think of 'contract' (German: der Vertrag). Both 'contract' and Vertrag are strong, guiding documents. The article der often signifies masculine nouns, and a contract feels 'masculine' or leading in this context. So, der Vertrag helps remember der Koalitionsvertrag.

2. Meaning: Imagine a political 'coalition' signing a 'contract'. Picture party leaders (the 'coalition partners') signing a very important Vertrag (contract) that governs their work together. Coalition + Vertrag = Koalitionsvertrag.

↔️ Synonyms & Related Terms

😄 A Little Joke

Ein Journalist fragt den anderen: "Hast du den neuen Koalitionsvertrag gelesen?"
Antwortet der zweite: "Nein, ich warte lieber auf die Verfilmung – die ist meist kürzer und spannender!" 😉

--- Translation ---

One journalist asks another: "Have you read the new coalition agreement?"
The second replies: "No, I'd rather wait for the movie adaptation – it's usually shorter and more exciting!" 😉

✍️ Poem about the Agreement

Zwei Parteien, oder drei, vielleicht auch vier,
Schmieden Pläne, hier und hier.
Was wird gebaut, was wird gespart?
Festgehalten, schwarz auf weiß, ganz hart.
Der Koalitionsvertrag, das dicke Buch,
Ist Kompromiss und manchmal Fluch.
Er soll regieren, lenken, leiten,
Durch die nächsten Legislaturzeiten.

--- Translation ---

Two parties, or three, maybe even four,
Forge their plans, behind the door.
What will be built, what will be saved?
Written down, how they've behaved.
The coalition agreement, the hefty book,
Is compromise, and worth a look.
It's meant to govern, steer, and guide,
Through the next legislative tide.

❓ Who am I? A Riddle

Ich werde nach Wahlen geboren,
Von Partnern feierlich beschworen.
Ich lege fest, wer was regiert,
Und welches Ziel man anvisiert.
Ich bin kein Gesetz, doch politisch schwer,
Mein Inhalt sorgt für viel Verkehr (an Diskussionen).

Wer bin ich?
Lösung: Der Koalitionsvertrag

--- Translation ---

I am born after elections are done,
Sworn solemnly by partners, more than one.
I determine who governs what and where,
And which goals the partners share.
I am not law, but carry political weight,
My content sparks much debate.

Who am I?
Answer: The Koalitionsvertrag (Coalition Agreement)

🧩 Word Composition & Trivia

Word Composition:

The word Koalitionsvertrag is a compound noun, made up of:

• Die Koalition: A coalition or alliance (here, of political parties). From the Latin word coalitio (uniting).
• Der Vertrag: A legally or politically binding agreement or contract.

Trivia:

• The length of coalition agreements in Germany has tended to increase over the years.
• The negotiations can often take a very long time and are considered an important indicator of the stability of the future government.
• Sometimes they contain so-called "Prüfaufträge" (review mandates), where the coalition partners could not yet agree on a final regulation and decided to examine the issue further.