die  Legislaturperiode

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/leɡislaˈtuːɐ̯pəʁiˌoːdə/

🗳️ What exactly is a Legislaturperiode?

The German noun die Legislaturperiode refers to the fixed period of time for which a legislative body (like the German Bundestag or a state parliament, Landtag) is elected and carries out its duties. It's essentially the 'term of office' for a parliament between two regular elections.

In Germany, the Legislaturperiode of the Bundestag has been four years since 2009. State parliaments (Landtage) may have different durations (often five years).

The word is feminine, so the article is always die.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: die Legislaturperiode

The noun 'Legislaturperiode' is feminine. Here is its declension in singular and plural:

📝 Example Sentences

• Die aktuelle Legislaturperiode des Bundestages endet im Herbst.
  (The current legislative period of the Bundestag ends in autumn.)
• Während einer Legislaturperiode werden viele Gesetze verabschiedet.
  (During a legislative period, many laws are passed.)
• Die Regierung plant, das Projekt noch in dieser Legislaturperiode umzusetzen.
  (The government plans to implement the project within this legislative period.)
• Nach mehreren Legislaturperioden im Amt trat der Abgeordnete nicht mehr an.
  (After several legislative periods in office, the representative did not run again.)

🏛️ Usage in Context

The term Legislaturperiode is used almost exclusively in political and legal contexts. It describes the duration for which representatives are elected to a parliament.

• Typical Contexts: Political reporting, parliamentary debates, legal texts, elections.
• Differentiation: An Amtszeit (term of office) can also refer to other positions (e.g., president, mayor), whereas Legislaturperiode is specific to parliaments (the legislature). A Wahlperiode (electoral period) is often synonymous, but Legislaturperiode emphasizes the law-making function.
• Common Collocations: 'Beginn/Ende der Legislaturperiode' (start/end of the legislative period), 'während der Legislaturperiode' (during the legislative period), 'verkürzte/verlängerte Legislaturperiode' (shortened/extended legislative period).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: The word ends in '-periode'. Many German nouns ending in '-e' that denote a period of time or an abstract concept are feminine (die Periode, die Phase, die Epoche). So, remember: die Legislaturperiode.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of Legis = Law (from Latin) and Periode = Period. So, it's the period for making laws.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Similar but Different Terms

• Legislative: Refers to the legislative branch of government (the parliament itself), not the time period.
• Amtszeit: Can refer to any kind of term of office, not just for parliaments.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Abgeordneter den anderen: "Sag mal, kommt dir diese Legislaturperiode auch so unendlich lang vor?"
Antwortet der andere: "Nein, wieso? Wir sind doch erst seit drei Jahren hier und haben noch volle zwölf Monate Zeit, nichts zu tun!"

Translation:
One Member of Parliament asks another: "Tell me, does this legislative period also seem incredibly long to you?"
The other replies: "No, why? We've only been here for three years and still have a full twelve months left to do nothing!"

📜 Poem about the Legislaturperiode

Vier Jahre (manchmal fünf, je nach Ort),
Gewählt vom Volk, ein ernstes Wort.
Gesetze schaffen, tagen, streiten,
Durch politische Gezeiten gleiten.
Die Legislaturperiode heißt die Frist,
Bis man erneut zur Wahlurne ist.

Translation:
Four years (sometimes five, depending on the place),
Elected by the people, a serious case.
Creating laws, meeting, debating,
Through political tides navigating.
The legislative period is the name for the term,
Until the ballot box makes its return.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Zeitabschnitt, per Wahl bestimmt,
In dem das Parlament Gesetze spinnt.
Mal vier, mal fünf Jahre kann ich dauern,
Bevor die Bürger wieder wählen lauern.

Was bin ich? (Lösung/Solution: die Legislaturperiode)

Translation:
I am a period of time, determined by election,
In which the parliament spins laws for the nation.
Sometimes four, sometimes five years I can last,
Before the citizens again their votes cast.

What am I?
(Solution: the legislative period / die Legislaturperiode)

🧩 Other Interesting Aspects

Word Composition

The word 'Legislaturperiode' is a compound noun:

• Legislatur: Derived from the Latin legislator (lawgiver), from lex (law) and lator (bearer, proposer). Refers to the legislative body or its activity.
• Periode: From the Greek periodos (circuit, cycle, period of time).

Combined, it literally means "period of legislation" or "period of the legislator (parliament)".

Historical Context

The length of the legislative period for the German Bundestag wasn't always four years. From 1949 to 1976, it was also four years, but there were discussions and temporary variations. It was firmly set back to four years for the 8th electoral term (1976-1980) and has remained so since. Following reunification and changes in electoral law, there have been discussions about extending the period to five years, but this has not yet been implemented for the Bundestag.