die  Neuwahl

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈnɔʏvaːl/

🗳️ What exactly does "die Neuwahl" mean?

Die Neuwahl means a new election or re-election, often conducted earlier than originally scheduled, or a regularly scheduled election that replaces a previous one. It's a key term in the political system but can also occur in other organizations like clubs (Vereine) or committees (Gremien).

Typical reasons for a vorgezogene Neuwahl (snap election / early election) include:

• A vote of no confidence (Misstrauensvotum) against the government
• The failure of a coalition (Koalition)
• The dissolution of parliament by the head of state

🚨 It's important to know that die Neuwahl is always feminine. There are no other articles for this word.

🧐 Grammar of "die Neuwahl" in Detail

The noun "Neuwahl" is feminine. The article is therefore always "die". It is declined as follows:

Example Sentences (German with English Translation)

1. Nach dem Rücktritt des Kanzlers wurde eine Neuwahl ausgerufen.
   (After the chancellor's resignation, a new election was called.)
2. Die Opposition fordert seit Wochen Neuwahlen.
   (The opposition has been demanding new elections for weeks.)
3. Das Ergebnis der Neuwahl war überraschend knapp.
   (The result of the new election was surprisingly close.)
4. Im Verein steht bald die Neuwahl des Vorstands an.
   (In the club, the re-election of the board is due soon.)

🗣️ How "Neuwahl" is Used

"Die Neuwahl" is a standard term primarily used in political discourse. People talk about:

• Vorgezogene Neuwahlen: (Early / snap elections) When an election takes place before the scheduled date.
• Reguläre Neuwahlen: (Regular new elections) When a legislative period ends and elections are held as scheduled (although often just called "Wahl", "Neuwahl" is also correct as a new parliament/body is elected).
• Neuwahlen at state level (Landtagswahlen), federal level (Bundestagswahl), or municipal level.
• Neuwahlen in organizations: e.g., the Neuwahl of the works council (Betriebsrat) or the club board (Vereinsvorstand).

Compared to "Wahl" (election): "Neuwahl" often emphasizes the aspect of a new beginning or a response to political change or crisis. "Wahl" is the more general umbrella term.

⚠️ Don't confuse "Neuwahl" with "Wahlwiederholung". A Wahlwiederholung (election rerun) happens when a previous election was declared invalid due to errors and must be repeated (in part or whole).

💡 Mnemonics for Neuwahl

For the article "die": Think of die Wahl (the election/choice) itself – elections involve making a choice, which you could associate with the feminine article 'die'. Since "Wahl" is feminine, the compound word "Neuwahl" remains feminine: die Neuwahl.

For the meaning: It's straightforward – "Neu" means new + "Wahl" means election. It's about electing something (a parliament, a board) anew.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but Different Terms:

• Wahlwiederholung: (Election rerun) An election is repeated (often only partially) because the original election was flawed.
• Stichwahl: (Runoff election) A second round of voting when no candidate achieves the required majority in the first round.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum sind Politiker bei Neuwahlen so nervös?
Weil sie nicht wissen, ob sie wiedergewählt werden oder ob sie sich einen neuen Job suchen müssen – vielleicht als Wahl-Beobachter? 😉

Translation:
Why are politicians so nervous during new elections?
Because they don't know if they'll be re-elected or if they'll have to look for a new job – perhaps as an election observer? 😉

📜 Poem about Neuwahl

Die Karten neu gemischt, das Volk hat Macht,
Die Stimmzettel bereit bei Tag und Nacht.
Die Neuwahl ruft, ein frischer Wind,
Wer führt das Land, wer wohl gewinnt?
Plakate kleben, Reden schallen,
Bis neue Mehrheiten gefallen.

Translation:
The cards reshuffled, the people hold sway,
Ballots ready by night and day.
The new election calls, a fresh breeze blows,
Who'll lead the country? Who wins, who knows?
Posters pasted, speeches resound,
Until new majorities are found.

❓ Riddle

Ich komme oft nach Streit und Krise,
manchmal auch nach Plan, ganz leise.
Ich bringe frischen Wind ins Haus,
und wähle neue Führer aus.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: die Neuwahl

Translation:
I often come after conflict and crisis,
Sometimes by plan, quite quiet is this.
I bring a fresh wind into the house,
And select new leaders, like a skilled mouse.

What am I?

Solution: die Neuwahl (the new election)

🧩 Further Details

Word Composition:

"Neuwahl" is a compound noun (Kompositum) made up of:

• Neu: The adjective meaning new.
• Wahl: The noun meaning election or choice (feminine: die Wahl).

The gender of the compound word is determined by the final component (the base word), which is "Wahl" (feminine) -> thus, die Neuwahl.

Trivia: Early federal elections (vorgezogene Neuwahlen zum Deutschen Bundestag) are relatively rare in Germany and are subject to strict constitutional requirements.