GermanyAufgabe 16 · Politics in a democracy
When is freedom of expression restricted in Germany?
In the exam (German)
Wann ist die Meinungsfreiheit in Deutschland eingeschränkt?
- awhen false claims about individual people are spread publiclybei der öffentlichen Verbreitung falscher Behauptungen über einzelne PersonenCorrect answer
- bwhen people express opinions about the federal governmentbei Meinungsäußerungen über die Bundesregierung
- cin discussions about religionsbei Diskussionen über Religionen
- dwhen people criticise the statebei Kritik am Staat
Why?
Freedom of expression ends where it harms the honour of other people (Article 5, paragraph 2 of the Basic Law). Anyone who publicly spreads false claims about a person can be punished for defamation (üble Nachrede or Verleumdung). Criticising the government or the state and discussing religion, on the other hand, are allowed. Memory aid: you may freely state an opinion – but not a lie about a person.
Translated with AI. In the exam the question is in German, as shown above.
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Take a free mock examAufgabe 17
German laws forbid …Correct answer:unequal treatment of citizens by the state.
Die deutschen Gesetze verbieten … — Ungleichbehandlung der Bürgerinnen und Bürger durch den Staat.
Aufgabe 18
Which fundamental right is guaranteed in Article 1 of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) of the Federal Republic of Germany?Correct answer:the inviolability of human dignity
Welches Grundrecht ist in Artikel 1 des Grundgesetzes der Bundesrepublik Deutschland garantiert? — die Unantastbarkeit der Menschenwürde
Aufgabe 19
What is meant by the right to “freedom of movement” (Freizügigkeit) in Germany?Correct answer:You may choose for yourself where you live.
Was versteht man unter dem Recht der "Freizügigkeit" in Deutschland? — Man darf sich seinen Wohnort selbst aussuchen.
Aufgabe 20
A party in Germany aims to set up a dictatorship. It is then …Correct answer:unconstitutional.
Eine Partei in Deutschland verfolgt das Ziel, eine Diktatur zu errichten. Sie ist dann … — verfassungswidrig.
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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