GermanyAufgabe 12 · Politics in a democracy
A party in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag) wants to abolish freedom of the press. Is that possible?
In the exam (German)
Eine Partei im Deutschen Bundestag will die Pressefreiheit abschaffen. Ist das möglich?
- aYes, if more than half of the members of the Bundestag are in favour.Ja, wenn mehr als die Hälfte der Abgeordneten im Bundestag dafür sind.
- bYes, but two thirds of the members of the Bundestag must be in favour.Ja, aber dazu müssen zwei Drittel der Abgeordneten im Bundestag dafür sein.
- cNo, because freedom of the press is a fundamental right. It cannot be abolished.Nein, denn die Pressefreiheit ist ein Grundrecht. Sie kann nicht abgeschafft werden.Correct answer
- dNo, because only the Federal Council (Bundesrat) can abolish freedom of the press.Nein, denn nur der Bundesrat kann die Pressefreiheit abschaffen.
Why?
Freedom of the press is a fundamental right in Article 5 of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz). A party cannot abolish it, not even with a large majority. With a two-thirds majority you can change the Basic Law, but the principles of democracy are protected from such changes (Article 79, paragraph 3) – and without a free press there is no democracy.
Translated with AI. In the exam the question is in German, as shown above.
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Take a free mock examAufgabe 13
In parliament, the term “opposition” means …Correct answer:all members of parliament who do not belong to the governing party/parties.
Im Parlament steht der Begriff "Opposition" für … — alle Abgeordneten, die nicht zu der Regierungspartei/den Regierungsparteien gehören.
Aufgabe 14
Freedom of expression in Germany means that I …Correct answer:can express my opinion on the internet.
Meinungsfreiheit in Deutschland heißt, dass ich … — meine Meinung im Internet äußern kann.
Aufgabe 15
What does the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz) forbid?Correct answer:forced labour
Was verbietet das deutsche Grundgesetz? — Zwangsarbeit
Aufgabe 16
When is freedom of expression restricted in Germany?Correct answer:when false claims about individual people are spread publicly
Wann ist die Meinungsfreiheit in Deutschland eingeschränkt? — bei der öffentlichen Verbreitung falscher Behauptungen über einzelne Personen
Source
Questions and options: Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), Gesamtfragenkatalog for the “Leben in Deutschland” test and the Einbürgerungstest, as of 07.05.2025 (Annex 1 to the Einbürgerungstestverordnung). The English translation and the explanations are ours, written with AI; in the exam the questions are asked in German. The coats of arms, flags and photos come from Wikimedia Commons, the maps and ballot papers are drawn by us – authors and licences are listed under Image credits. This is not a government service.
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