die  Kommunalwahl

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kɔmunalˈvaːl/

🗳️ What does "die Kommunalwahl" mean?

Die Kommunalwahl (feminine noun, article 'die') refers to a political election held at the municipal level (Kommunen, meaning cities, municipalities, districts - Städte, Gemeinden, Landkreise) in Germany.

In these elections, members of the local representative bodies (e.g., Gemeinderat - municipal council, Stadtrat - city council, Kreistag - district council) are elected. Often, mayors (Bürgermeister/innen) and district administrators (Landräte/Landrätinnen) are also directly elected during a Kommunalwahl.

It's a core element of local democracy in Germany and takes place at regular intervals (the frequency varies by federal state - Bundesland).

⚠️ There's only one article, 'die', for Kommunalwahl because it's a compound noun formed from 'die Kommune' (the municipality) and 'die Wahl' (the election).

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Kommunalwahl

The noun "Kommunalwahl" is feminine.

Example Sentences

1. Die nächste Kommunalwahl findet in zwei Jahren statt.
   (The next local election will take place in two years.)
2. Das Ergebnis der Kommunalwahl war überraschend.
   (The result of the local election was surprising.)
3. Viele Bürgerinnen und Bürger beteiligten sich an der Kommunalwahl.
   (Many citizens participated in the local election.)
4. Die Parteien bereiten sich auf die Kommunalwahl vor.
   (The parties are preparing for the local election.)
5. Bei den letzten Kommunalwahlen gab es einige Veränderungen in den Räten.
   (In the last local elections, there were some changes in the councils.)

🌐 How is "Kommunalwahl" used?

The term Kommunalwahl is primarily used in political and social contexts. It specifically refers to elections at the lowest administrative level in Germany.

• Typical Contexts: News reports, political discussions, election campaign materials, administrative texts, citizen information.
• Distinction: It's important to differentiate the Kommunalwahl from other elections like the Bundestagswahl (federal election), Landtagswahl (state election), or Europawahl (European election).
• Significance: Although often receiving less attention than federal or state elections, Kommunalwahlen are crucial for directly shaping citizens' local environment (e.g., schools, roads, local fees).

💡 Mnemonics for Kommunalwahl

Article Mnemonic: Imagine 'the' (die) whole 'community' (Kommune) going to 'the' (die) 'poll' (Wahl). Feminine 'Kommune' and feminine 'Wahl' combine to the feminine 'die Kommunalwahl'.

Meaning Mnemonic: 'Kommunal' sounds a bit like 'communal'. It's the communal election, the one for your local community.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Note: The terms aren't always perfectly interchangeable. 'Kommunalwahl' is the general term that can encompass more specific elections (Gemeinde-, Stadtrat-, Kreistagswahl) depending on the area.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Warum nehmen Bleistifte nicht an der Kommunalwahl teil?
Weil sie Angst haben, abgewählt zu werden und dann angespitzt zu werden!

English: Why don't pencils take part in local elections?
Because they're afraid of being voted out and then getting sharpened! (A pun on 'angespitzt werden' which can mean 'to be sharpened' but figuratively also 'to be criticized/targeted').

✍️ Election Poem

German:
Die Glocke ruft, es ist soweit,
Zur Wahlurne geht heut' die Zeit.
Für Rat und Amt, für Stadt und Land,
Nimmt man den Stimmzettel zur Hand.
Die Kommunalwahl, nah und klein,
Bestimmt, wie soll die Heimat sein.
Drum wähle weise, gib deine Stimm',
Für deiner Kommune Neubeginn!

English Translation:
The bell calls out, the time is now,
To the ballot box, we make our vow.
For council, office, town, and lea,
We take the ballot, you and me.
The local election, small and near,
Decides how home shall appear.
So choose with wisdom, cast your vote,
For your community's new note!

❓ Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin kein König und kein Zar,
doch wählt man mich fast jedes Jahr.
Mal hier mal da, in Stadt und Kreis,
entscheid' ich mit auf meine Weis'.
Ich sorge für den Rat vor Ort.
Wie heiß ich? Sag das Zauberwort!

English Translation:
I'm not a king, I'm not a czar,
But I'm elected near and far (almost every year).
Sometimes here, sometimes there, in town and district fair,
I help decide with my own flair.
I arrange for the council in its place.
What's my name? Tell me with grace!

Solution: Die Kommunalwahl (The local election)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Kommunalwahl" is a compound noun, composed of:

• kommunal: Adjective, derived from 'die Kommune' (the community, municipality).
• die Wahl: Noun, meaning 'the election' or 'the choice'.

Importance: Although voter turnout for Kommunalwahlen is often lower than for federal or state elections, their results have a direct impact on local decisions such as kindergarten fees, road construction, waste collection, and local taxes.