die
Vertrauensfrage
🗳️ What does 'die Vertrauensfrage' mean?
The German noun die Vertrauensfrage is a key instrument in Germany's parliamentary system, defined in Article 68 of the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz).
Primarily, it refers to a motion by the Federal Chancellor (Bundeskanzler/in) asking the German federal parliament (Bundestag) for a vote of confidence. If the motion fails to achieve a majority of the members of the Bundestag, the Federal President (Bundespräsident) can, upon the Chancellor's proposal, dissolve the Bundestag.
In a broader sense, the term can occasionally be used outside of politics to describe a situation where fundamental trust in a relationship or partnership (e.g., business or friendship) is put to the test. However, this usage is less common.
⚠️ Important Note: Die Vertrauensfrage should not be confused with the konstruktives Misstrauensvotum (constructive vote of no confidence, Article 67 GG), where the Bundestag expresses its lack of confidence in the Chancellor by simultaneously electing a successor.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Die Vertrauensfrage
The noun 'Vertrauensfrage' is feminine.
Declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Vertrauensfrage |
| Genitive | der | Vertrauensfrage |
| Dative | der | Vertrauensfrage |
| Accusative | die | Vertrauensfrage |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Vertrauensfragen |
| Genitive | der | Vertrauensfragen |
| Dative | den | Vertrauensfragen |
| Accusative | die | Vertrauensfragen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Bundeskanzler stellte die Vertrauensfrage im Parlament.
(The Federal Chancellor initiated the vote of confidence in parliament.) - Die Ablehnung der Vertrauensfrage führte zu Neuwahlen.
(The rejection of the vote of confidence led to new elections.) - Nach mehreren gescheiterten Projekten stand eine Art Vertrauensfrage zwischen den Geschäftspartnern im Raum.
(After several failed projects, a sort of question of confidence lingered between the business partners.)
🗣️ Usage in Context: When is 'die Vertrauensfrage' used?
The term die Vertrauensfrage is almost exclusively used in a political context.
- Main Application: Designating the parliamentary procedure according to Article 68 GG. A Chancellor often uses the Vertrauensfrage to discipline their own governing majority or to pave the way for new elections if they no longer feel they have stable support.
- Figurative Meaning: Less commonly, it can be used metaphorically for a crucial test of trust in non-political relationships. However, the political origin often resonates in this usage.
- Distinction: It's crucial to distinguish it from the Misstrauensvotum (vote of no confidence), which originates from the parliament and aims to oust the Chancellor, whereas the Vertrauensfrage is initiated by the Chancellor themself.
Die Vertrauensfrage is a powerful, yet risky, political tool.
💡 Mnemonics for 'die Vertrauensfrage'
How to remember the article and meaning?
Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in -e are feminine ('die'), like die Frage (the question). Since 'Vertrauensfrage' ends with '-frage', it inherits the feminine article: die Vertrauensfrage.
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of Vertrauen (trust) + Frage (question). It's the ultimate question posed by the Chancellor to the parliament: "Do you still have trust in me?". The answer determines the government's future.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Similar Terms (Synonyms in a broader sense):
- Vertrauensabstimmung: A more general term for a vote concerning trust.
- Vertrauensbeweis (proof of trust): Indirectly, if the vote is positive, it serves as proof of trust.
- Abstimmung über den Kanzler (Vote on the Chancellor): A descriptive phrase for the process.
Opposing Terms/Procedures:
- Misstrauensvotum (konstruktiv) (constructive vote of no confidence): The procedure initiated by parliament to remove the Chancellor (Art. 67 GG). This is the direct counterpart in the political system.
- Vertrauensentzug (withdrawal of trust): The outcome of a failed Vertrauensfrage or a successful Misstrauensvotum.
🚨 Caution: While a Misstrauensvotum directly aims at removal, a Vertrauensfrage can also be used tactically to close ranks or trigger new elections.
😂 A Little Political Chuckle
Fragt ein Abgeordneter den Kanzler: "Herr Kanzler, warum stellen Sie denn schon wieder die Vertrauensfrage?"
Antwortet der Kanzler: "Ich muss doch testen, ob mein Navi noch richtig funktioniert und mir den Weg zu Neuwahlen zeigt!" 😉
Translation:
A member of parliament asks the Chancellor: "Mr. Chancellor, why are you calling another vote of confidence?"
The Chancellor replies: "I just need to check if my GPS is still working correctly and showing me the way to new elections!" 😉
📜 A Poem for the Occasion
Der Kanzler steht, die Stirn in Falten,
die Mehrheit scheint ihm zu entgleiten.
Er muss die Macht nun neu gestalten,
will nicht im Chaos untergehen, scheitern.
Drum stellt er klar, mit ernstem Ton,
die Frage, die das Land bewegt:
"Habt ihr Vertrauen in Person und Thron?"
Die Vertrauensfrage, vorgelegt.
Ein Raunen geht durch den Plenarsaal,
die Spannung greifbar, dicht und schwer.
Das Ergebnis ist die Schicksalswahl,
Neuwahlen oder weiter mehr?
Translation:
The Chancellor stands, brow furrowed deep,
His majority seems to slip and creep.
He must reshape power's hold anew,
Lest chaos claims him, failure brew.
So he poses clear, in solemn sound,
The question that shakes the nation's ground:
"Do you trust the person and the seat?"
The Vertrauensfrage, bittersweet.
A murmur runs through the chamber wide,
The tension thick, nowhere to hide.
The outcome seals the fateful choice,
New polls or governing, find a voice?
❓ Who am I? A Riddle
Ich bin eine Frage, doch kein Quiz im Spiel,
vom Kanzler gestellt, das ist sein Stil.
Scheitert die Antwort, wackelt der Thron,
Neuwahlen drohen als Konsequenz davon.
Ich prüfe die Treue im Hohen Haus,
bring' Klarheit oder das Regierungs-Aus.
Wer bin ich? ... Die Vertrauensfrage
Translation:
I am a question, but no game or test,
Posed by the Chancellor, putting trust to the quest.
If the answer fails, the seat may sway,
New elections might be the price to pay.
I check the loyalty in the parliament's hall,
Bringing clarity or the government's fall.
What am I? ... The vote of confidence (die Vertrauensfrage)
🧩 Further Details: Word Structure & History
Word Composition:
The word 'Vertrauensfrage' is a compound noun, formed from:
It literally means a "question of trust".
Historical Significance:
The Vertrauensfrage has been initiated several times in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, including by Chancellors Willy Brandt, Helmut Schmidt, Helmut Kohl, and Gerhard Schröder. Each instance had significant political consequences.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Vertrauensfrage?
The word "Vertrauensfrage" is feminine, so the correct article is die Vertrauensfrage (plural: die Vertrauensfragen). It primarily refers to the parliamentary tool used by the German Chancellor to request a vote of confidence from the Bundestag.