die  Landtagsfraktion

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈlantˌtaːksˌfʁaktsi̯oːn/

🏛️ What exactly is a Landtagsfraktion?

A Landtagsfraktion refers to the parliamentary group formed by members of parliament (Abgeordnete) from the same political party or political group within a German state parliament (Landtag). They bundle their political interests and organize their parliamentary work together.

The size (Stärke) of a Fraktion significantly determines its influence in the Landtag, for example, in assigning committee seats or during votes (Abstimmungen).

⚠️ Important: A Fraktion is more than just a loose group; it often has its own executive board (Vorstand), rules of procedure (Geschäftsordnung), and formal structures.

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Die Landtagsfraktion

The word "Landtagsfraktion" is feminine. The correct article is therefore die.

Declension

Example Sentences

1. Die Landtagsfraktion der Regierungspartei legte einen neuen Gesetzentwurf vor.
   (The state parliamentary group of the governing party presented a new draft law.)
2. Die Sprecherin der Landtagsfraktion äußerte sich zur aktuellen Debatte.
   (The spokesperson of the state parliamentary group commented on the current debate.)
3. Man diskutierte intensiv mit der Landtagsfraktion der Opposition.
   (They discussed intensively with the state parliamentary group of the opposition.)
4. Der Ministerpräsident traf die Landtagsfraktion zu Beratungen.
   (The state premier met the state parliamentary group for consultations.)
5. Im Parlament arbeiten mehrere Landtagsfraktionen zusammen oder gegeneinander.
   (Several state parliamentary groups work together or against each other in the parliament.)

🗣️ When to use "Landtagsfraktion"?

The term Landtagsfraktion is mainly used in political and journalistic contexts when reporting on the work and structure of the state parliaments (Landtage) in Germany.

• Reporting: In news, articles, or discussions about state politics (Landespolitik). Example: "Die größte Landtagsfraktion stellt den Ausschussvorsitzenden." (The largest state parliamentary group provides the committee chair.)
• Political Analysis: To describe power dynamics, coalitions (Koalitionen), or opposition work (Oppositionsarbeit). Example: "Die Zusammenarbeit zwischen den Landtagsfraktionen gestaltet sich schwierig." (Cooperation between the state parliamentary groups is proving difficult.)
• Official Documents: In minutes (Protokolle), draft laws (Gesetzentwürfe), or rules of procedure (Geschäftsordnungen) of the Landtag.

Distinction: At the federal level, one speaks of a Bundestagsfraktion. The general term is Fraktion.

🧠 Mnemonics for Landtagsfraktion

Article Mnemonic (die): Think of the organization or the function – many German nouns ending in '-tion' (like die Fraktion) are feminine (die). A Landtagsfraktion is a political organization.

Meaning Mnemonic: A Landtag is the parliament of a state (Bundesland). A Fraktion sounds a bit like a 'fraction' of a party, but united as a group in parliament. So: The party group in the state parliament = Landtagsfraktion.

↔️ Similar and Opposing Terms

Related Terms:

• Bundestagsfraktion: Parliamentary group in the German federal parliament (Bundestag).
• Partei: The political party outside of parliament whose members form the Fraktion.
• Landtag: The parliament of a German federal state.
• Abgeordneter/Abgeordnete: Member of Parliament (male/female).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Bürger einen Abgeordneten: "Was ist eigentlich der Unterschied zwischen einer Landtagsfraktion und einer Schulklasse?"

Antwortet der Abgeordnete: "In der Schulklasse gibt es zumindest einen, der aufpasst." 😉

Translation:

A citizen asks an MP: "What's the actual difference between a state parliamentary group and a school class?"

The MP replies: "In the school class, there's at least one person paying attention." 😉

📜 Poem about the Fraktion

Im Landtag, hell und groß,
Sitzt manch Fraktion, im Schoß
Der Politik, mal laut, mal leis,
Man kämpft um jeden Preis.

Die Landtagsfraktion vereint,
Was eine Partei meint,
Mit Reden, Plan und Schrift,
Bis man Entscheidung trifft.

Translation:

In the State House, bright and grand,
Sits many a group, across the land,
In politics' lap, sometimes loud, sometimes low,
They fight for every prize, you know.

The state parliamentary group unites,
What a party ignites,
With speeches, plans, and written word,
Until decisions can be heard.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Team im Haus des Landes,
Vertrete Stimmen meines Standes.
Gemeinsam stark, mit Plan und Ziel,
Im politischen Ränkespiel.

Wer oder was bin ich?

Translation:

I am a team in the state's house,
Representing voices, like a spouse
(of the party). Strong together, with plan and aim,
In the political scheming game.

Who or what am I? ... Die Landtagsfraktion (The state parliamentary group)

🧩 More Interesting Facts

Word Composition:

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

• Landtag: The parliament of a German federal state (e.g., der Bayerische Landtag, der Landtag von Nordrhein-Westfalen). Itself composed of "Land" (state/country) and "Tag" (historical term for an assembly, cf. Reichstag, Bundestag).
• Fraktion: A group of parliamentarians from the same political alignment within a parliament. The word comes from the Latin "fractio" (break, fraction).

Trivia:

To be officially recognized as a Fraktion in a German state parliament and receive certain rights (e.g., funding, speaking time, committee seats), a group of MPs usually needs to meet a minimum size requirement. This minimum size is defined in the rules of procedure (Geschäftsordnung) of the respective Landtag and can vary (often around 5% of the seats).