Practice test 2
33 questions · 60 minutes · pass with 17
Answer every question, then tap Check results. Only then will you see which answers were right.
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Question 1Not answered
What is the full name of Germany?
Correct answer: Federal Republic of Germany
The official state name is Federal Republic of Germany, introduced with the Basic Law on 23 May 1949. It expresses both the federal structure and the republican form of government.
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Question 2Not answered
What is not a federal state of the Federal Republic of Germany?
Correct answer: Alsace-Lorraine
Alsace-Lorraine has definitively belonged to France since 1945 and is not a German state. North Rhine-Westphalia is one of the 16 German states, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Saxony-Anhalt are two of the five eastern states that joined in 1990.
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Question 3Not answered
When can a party be banned in Germany?
Correct answer: if it fights against the constitution
Under Article 21(2) of the Basic Law, parties that seek to undermine the free democratic order or threaten the existence of the Federal Republic are unconstitutional. Only the Federal Constitutional Court may ban a party.
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Question 4Not answered
Which fundamental right is guaranteed in Article 1 of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany?
Correct answer: the inviolability of human dignity
Article 1(1) of the Basic Law states: "Human dignity shall be inviolable." Respecting and protecting it is the duty of all state authority and, under the eternity clause, cannot be removed by any constitutional amendment.
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Question 5Not answered
In Germany, you have the best chance of getting a well-paid job if you ...
Correct answer: are well educated.
In Germany, school qualifications, vocational training and university degrees are the strongest predictors of well-paid work. The higher the qualification, the higher the average income and the lower the risk of unemployment.
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Question 6Not answered
The European Parliament is elected regularly, namely every ...
Correct answer: 5 years.
The European Parliament is elected directly by EU citizens every five years. The most recent election took place in June 2024; the next is scheduled for 2029.
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Question 7Not answered
Why does the state control the school system in Germany?
Correct answer: because it is its task according to the Basic Law
Under Article 7(1) of the Basic Law, the entire school system is under state supervision. This allows the state to ensure quality, equal opportunity and compulsory school attendance for all children.
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Question 8Not answered
Which living arrangement is not permitted in Germany?
Correct answer: A man is married to two women at the same time.
Polygamous marriages are forbidden in Germany: under §1306 BGB, a second marriage before dissolving the first is void, and §172 StGB makes bigamy a criminal offence. Polygamous marriages contracted abroad are not recognised here.
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Question 9Not answered
Members of parliament who are elected by the citizens are called ...
Correct answer: Members of Parliament.
Members of parliament elected by the people are called deputies (Abgeordnete). Under Article 38 of the Basic Law they represent the whole people, are not bound by orders or instructions and answer only to their conscience (free mandate).
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Question 10Not answered
Which country is a neighbouring country of Germany?
Correct answer: Switzerland
Switzerland borders Germany to the south along roughly 350 kilometres, mainly via Lake Constance and the Rhine. It is not an EU member but does belong to the Schengen Area.
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Question 11Not answered
What do the so-called "Stolpersteine" in Germany commemorate?
Correct answer: to the victims of National Socialism
Stolpersteine are brass plaques set into the pavement at the last freely chosen homes of victims of National Socialism. Artist Gunter Demnig has run the project since 1992; over 100,000 stones have been laid across Europe.
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Question 12Not answered
What does the abbreviation CDU mean in Germany?
Correct answer: Christian Democratic Union
CDU stands for Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (Christian Democratic Union of Germany). The party was founded in 1945, produced Konrad Adenauer as the first Chancellor, and after the 2025 federal election is again the largest group in the Bundestag.
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Question 13Not answered
The electoral system in Germany is a ...
Correct answer: majority and proportional representation.
Germany uses a personalised mixed system: the first vote elects a constituency MP by simple majority, while the second vote determines each party's proportional share of seats. The combination is called majority-and-proportional representation.
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Question 14Not answered
What is the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany called?
Correct answer: Basic Law
The constitution of the Federal Republic is called the Basic Law (Grundgesetz). It was promulgated on 23 May 1949, originally as a provisional document until reunification, and has applied to all of Germany since 3 October 1990.
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Question 15Not answered
The Federal Republic of Germany has had the borders it has today since ...
Correct answer: 1990.
Germany's current external borders have applied since reunification on 3 October 1990. In the Two-plus-Four Treaty, unified Germany finally recognised the Oder-Neisse line as its border with Poland.
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Question 16Not answered
In which occupation zone was the GDR founded? In the ...
Correct answer: Soviet occupation zone.
The GDR was founded on 7 October 1949 in the Soviet occupation zone, the territory administered by the USSR after 1945. From it later emerged the East German states of Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.
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Question 17Not answered
Social market economy means that the economy ...
Correct answer: is based on supply and demand, but the state ensures a social balance.
In a social market economy supply and demand drive prices and production, while the state ensures a social balance through social insurance, taxes and labour law. The concept was developed by Ludwig Erhard in post-war West Germany.
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Question 18Not answered
When were the National Socialists with Adolf Hitler in power in Germany?
Correct answer: 1933 to 1945
The National Socialists under Adolf Hitler held power from his appointment as Chancellor on 30 January 1933 until the German surrender on 8 May 1945. In those twelve years democracy was abolished, the Second World War was launched and the Holocaust was committed.
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Question 19Not answered
From June 1948 to May 1949, the citizens of West Berlin were supplied by an airlift. What was the reason for this?
Correct answer: The Soviet Union interrupted all overland transport.
In June 1948 the Soviet Union blocked all land and water routes to West Berlin to force the Western Allies out. In response the USA and Great Britain supplied the city by air for eleven months via the Berlin Airlift.
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Question 20Not answered
What are the heads of government of most federal states in Germany called?
Correct answer: Minister-President
In the area states the head of government is called Minister-President. The three city-states use different titles: Governing Mayor in Berlin, First Mayor in Hamburg and President of the Senate in Bremen.
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Question 21Not answered
Who is allowed to become a member of the approximately 40 Jewish Maccabi sports clubs?
Correct answer: all people
Germany's roughly 40 Jewish Maccabi sports clubs are open to people of every religion and background. They see themselves as Jewish in heritage but deliberately inclusive, promoting encounter and integration through sport.
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Question 22Not answered
Which organisation in a company helps employees in case of problems with the employer?
Correct answer: the works council
The works council (Betriebsrat) represents employees vis-à-vis the employer and has co-determination rights under the Works Constitution Act. It can be elected in companies with at least five employees.
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Question 23Not answered
Who elects the German Chancellor?
Correct answer: the Bundestag
The Chancellor is elected by the Bundestag (Article 63). The Federal President proposes the candidate, and the person who wins a majority of all Bundestag members is elected Chancellor.
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Question 24Not answered
In Germany, young people are of criminal age from the age of 14. This means
Correct answer: are punished.
Under §19 of the Criminal Code, young people are criminally responsible from age 14: they can be punished for offences. The milder juvenile criminal law, however, applies until 18 – in some cases up to 21.
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Question 25Not answered
The two largest parliamentary groups in the German Bundestag are currently ...
Correct answer: CDU/CSU and AfD.
After the 2025 federal election, the CDU/CSU and the AfD are the two largest parliamentary groups in the Bundestag. The CDU/CSU governs together with the SPD, while the AfD leads the opposition.
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Question 26Not answered
When the parliament of a German federal state is elected, it is called ...
Correct answer: State parliament election.
An election to a state parliament is called a Landtagswahl and is held roughly every four or five years. In the three city-states (Berlin, Hamburg, Bremen) the corresponding ballots are called Abgeordnetenhaus or Bürgerschaft elections instead.
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Question 27Not answered
The BIZ career information centre at the Federal Employment Agency in Germany helps with ...
Correct answer: Apprenticeship search.
The Berufsinformationszentrum (BIZ) at the Federal Employment Agency offers free information on careers, training paths and degree programmes and helps with apprenticeship searches. Materials and advice are open to everyone.
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Question 28Not answered
You go to the labour court in Germany for ...
Correct answer: unjustified dismissal by your boss.
The labour court handles disputes between employees and employers, for example over an unfair dismissal. A claim for unfair dismissal must be filed within three weeks of receiving the termination, under Section 4 of the Dismissal Protection Act.
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Question 29Not answered
What is called a "traffic light coalition" in Germany? The co-operation ...
Correct answer: of SPD, FDP and Bündnis 90/Die Grünen in a government
A traffic-light coalition combines the SPD (red), the FDP (yellow) and Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (green), whose party colours match a traffic signal. Such a coalition governed Germany from December 2021 under Chancellor Olaf Scholz until it collapsed in November 2024.
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Question 30Not answered
What happened on 8 May 1945?
Correct answer: End of the Second World War in Europe
On 8 May 1945 the German Wehrmacht signed its unconditional surrender in Berlin-Karlshorst, ending the Second World War in Europe. The date is remembered today as the Day of Liberation from National Socialism.
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Question 31Not answered
From what age can you vote in local elections in Baden-Württemberg?
Correct answer: 16
For local elections in Baden-Württemberg the voting age is 16, while state elections still require 18. The lower age aims to involve young people in municipal democracy at an early stage.
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Question 32Not answered
What are the colours of the Baden-Württemberg flag?
Correct answer: black-gold
Baden-Württemberg's flag is striped horizontally in black and gold, matching the coat of arms with its black lions on gold. The official hoisting flag also bears the state arms in the centre.
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Question 33Not answered
Where can you find out about political issues in Baden-Württemberg?
Correct answer: at the State Centre for Political Education
The Baden-Württemberg State Centre for Political Education (LpB) in Stuttgart offers free information, brochures and events on political topics. It is a non-partisan institution of the state government.
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Question 31Not answered
From what age can you vote in local elections in Bavaria?
Correct answer: 18
In Bavaria the voting age is 18 for both local and state elections. Unlike many other German states, Bavaria has not lowered the voting age to 16.
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Question 32Not answered
What are the colours of the Bavarian flag?
Correct answer: white-blue
Bavaria's state flag bears the colours white and blue, either as horizontal stripes or as the lozenge pattern with the characteristic white-and-blue Wittelsbach diamonds. The colours have been official since the early 19th century.
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Question 33Not answered
Where can you find out about political issues in Bavaria?
Correct answer: at the State Centre for Political Education
The Bavarian State Centre for Political Education in Munich provides free information on political and social topics. It is non-partisan and publishes books, brochures and online materials.
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Question 31Not answered
From what age can you vote in local elections in Berlin (election of the district council)?
Correct answer: 16
For Berlin's district council elections the voting age is 16, while the state-level House of Representatives still requires 18. The district council is the local representative body of each Berlin borough.
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Question 32Not answered
What are the colours of the Berlin flag?
Correct answer: white-red
Berlin's state flag is horizontally striped white and red with the black bear in the centre. The colours derive from the original city arms and have been official since 1954.
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Question 33Not answered
Where can you find out about political issues in Berlin?
Correct answer: at the State Centre for Political Education
Berlin's State Centre for Political Education is a non-partisan body offering free information, events and publications on political topics. It is based at Hausvogteiplatz in Berlin-Mitte.
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Question 31Not answered
From what age can you vote in local elections in Brandenburg?
Correct answer: 16
For local elections in Brandenburg young people may vote from age 16. State-parliament elections still require a minimum age of 18.
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Question 32Not answered
What colours does the state flag of Brandenburg have?
Correct answer: red-white
Brandenburg's flag is horizontally striped red over white with the red state eagle in the centre. The colours reflect the traditional arms of the Margraviate of Brandenburg.
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Question 33Not answered
Where can you find out about political issues in Brandenburg?
Correct answer: at the State Centre for Political Education
Brandenburg's State Centre for Political Education in Potsdam provides non-partisan information and events on political topics. It serves as a contact point for the state's citizens.
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Question 31Not answered
From what age can you vote in the Bremen state parliament elections?
Correct answer: 16
For Bremen state-parliament elections, 16-year-olds may already vote. In 2009 Bremen became the first German state to lower the voting age for state elections to 16.
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Question 32Not answered
What are the colours of the Bremen flag?
Correct answer: red-white
Bremen's flag, the so-called speckflag, has at least eight horizontal red and white stripes with a chequered red-and-white panel at the hoist. These colours have symbolised the Hanseatic city for centuries.
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Question 33Not answered
Where can you find out about political issues in Bremen?
Correct answer: at the State Centre for Political Education
Bremen's State Centre for Political Education provides non-partisan information, brochures and events on political topics. It is run by the Bremen state government.
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Question 31Not answered
From what age can you vote in local elections (district assembly elections) in Hamburg?
Correct answer: 16
For Hamburg's district assembly elections, young people may vote from age 16. Since 2013 the same age limit also applies to elections for the Hamburg Parliament.
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Question 32Not answered
What are the colours of the Hamburg flag?
Correct answer: white-red
Hamburg's flag bears the white castle from the city's coat of arms on a red field. White and red have been the traditional Hanseatic colours of the city since the Middle Ages.
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Question 33Not answered
Where can you find out about political issues in Hamburg?
Correct answer: at the State Centre for Political Education
Hamburg's State Centre for Political Education offers non-partisan information, events and publications on political topics. It is located in central Hamburg.
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Question 31Not answered
From what age can you vote in local elections in Hesse?
Correct answer: 18
In Hesse the voting age for local elections is 18. Unlike many other German states, Hesse has not lowered its voting age to 16.
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Question 32Not answered
What are the colours of the state flag of Hesse?
Correct answer: red-white
Hesse's flag is horizontally striped red over white, often charged with the state coat of arms bearing the red-and-white striped lion. The colours derive from the medieval coat of arms.
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Question 33Not answered
Where can you find out about political issues in Hesse?
Correct answer: at the State Centre for Political Education
Hesse's State Centre for Political Education in Wiesbaden offers non-partisan information, publications and events on political topics. It is a state government institution.
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Question 31Not answered
From what age can you vote in local elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern?
Correct answer: 16
For local elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern young people may vote from age 16. The minimum age for state-parliament elections remains 18.
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Question 32Not answered
What are the colours of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern flag?
Correct answer: blue-white-yellow-red
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's flag has five horizontal stripes in blue, white, yellow, white and red. The colours combine those of Mecklenburg (blue-yellow-red) and Pomerania (white-red).
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Question 33Not answered
Where can you find out about political issues in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern?
Correct answer: at the State Centre for Political Education
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's State Centre for Political Education in Schwerin offers non-partisan information, events and publications on political topics. It is a state government institution.
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Question 31Not answered
From what age can you vote in local elections in Lower Saxony?
Correct answer: 16
In Lower Saxony young people may vote in local elections from age 16. The voting age for state parliament elections remains 18; the lower threshold aims to encourage early civic participation.
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Question 32Not answered
What are the colours of the flag of Lower Saxony?
Correct answer: black-red-gold
Lower Saxony's flag shows the federal colours black-red-gold with the state arms and Saxon Steed in the centre. It was officially adopted in 1952, after the state itself was founded in 1946.
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Question 33Not answered
Where can you find out about political issues in Lower Saxony?
Correct answer: at the Coordinator for Political Education at the Ministry of Culture
In Lower Saxony the Coordinator for Political Education at the Ministry of Culture is the official point of contact for civic information. Unlike most states, Lower Saxony has no separate State Centre for Political Education.
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Question 31Not answered
From what age can you vote in local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia?
Correct answer: 16
In North Rhine-Westphalia the local-election voting age has been 16 since 1999. For state parliament elections the minimum age remains 18.
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Question 32Not answered
What colours does the flag of North Rhine-Westphalia have?
Correct answer: green-white-red
The flag of North Rhine-Westphalia is green-white-red, combining the colours of Westphalia and the Rhineland. The state ensign also bears the arms with the Rhine wave, horse and Lippe rose.
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Question 33Not answered
Where can you find out about political issues in North Rhine-Westphalia?
Correct answer: at the State Centre for Political Education
The State Centre for Political Education NRW provides free information on politics, history and society. Based in Düsseldorf, it runs an extensive programme of publications and public events.
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Question 31Not answered
From what age can you vote in local elections in Rhineland-Palatinate?
Correct answer: 18
Rhineland-Palatinate keeps the local-election voting age at 18, unlike some other states. The minimum age to stand for the municipal council is also 18.
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Question 32Not answered
What colours does the state flag of Rhineland-Palatinate have?
Correct answer: black-red-gold
Rhineland-Palatinate's flag shows the federal black-red-gold with the state arms in the upper canton. It was introduced in 1948; the state itself was created in 1946 under French occupation.
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Question 33Not answered
Where can you find out about political issues in Rhineland-Palatinate?
Correct answer: at the State Centre for Political Education
The State Centre for Political Education in Rhineland-Palatinate, based in Mainz, offers publications, seminars and advice on political issues. It is attached to the Ministry of the Interior.
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Question 31Not answered
From what age can you vote in local elections in Saarland?
Correct answer: 18
In Saarland the local-election voting age is 18. Unlike some other states, Saarland has not lowered its voting age to 16.
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Question 32Not answered
What are the colours of the Saarland flag?
Correct answer: black-red-gold
Saarland's flag shows the federal black-red-gold with the quartered state arms in the centre. It was adopted in 1957, after Saarland's political accession to the Federal Republic.
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Question 33Not answered
Where can you find out about political issues in Saarland?
Correct answer: at the State Centre for Political Education
The Saarland State Centre for Political Education in Saarbrücken offers events, publications and educational programmes. It comes under the Ministry of Education and Culture.
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Question 31Not answered
From what age can you vote in local elections in Saxony?
Correct answer: 18
In Saxony the voting age for local elections is 18. The same minimum age applies to state parliament elections; there has been no reduction to 16 so far.
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Question 32Not answered
What colours does the flag of Saxony have?
Correct answer: white-green
Saxony's flag is a white-and-green bicolour in the traditional Wettin colours. The state ensign additionally bears the coat of arms with the crown of rue.
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Question 33Not answered
Where can you find out about political issues in Saxony?
Correct answer: at the State Centre for Political Education
Saxony's State Centre for Political Education, based in Dresden, provides information on politics, history and democracy. It runs educational programmes, publications and competitions for students.
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Question 31Not answered
From what age can you vote in local elections in Saxony-Anhalt?
Correct answer: 16
In Saxony-Anhalt the active voting age for local elections is 16. For state parliament elections it remains 18; the lower threshold aims to engage young people in politics early.
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Question 32Not answered
What colours does the flag of Saxony-Anhalt have?
Correct answer: yellow-black
Saxony-Anhalt's flag is yellow and black, in the historic colours of Anhalt. With the state arms added, it serves as the official ensign of state authorities.
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Question 33Not answered
Where can you find out about political issues in Saxony-Anhalt?
Correct answer: at the State Centre for Political Education
Saxony-Anhalt's State Centre for Political Education, based in Magdeburg, offers events, books and educational programmes on democracy and history. It is attached to the state chancellery.
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Question 31Not answered
From what age can you vote in local elections in Schleswig-Holstein?
Correct answer: 16
Schleswig-Holstein's local-election voting age is 16; in 1996 it became the first German state to introduce this. Since 2013 the same age applies to state parliament elections.
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Question 32Not answered
What are the colours of the Schleswig-Holstein flag?
Correct answer: blue-white-red
Schleswig-Holstein's flag features three horizontal stripes of blue, white and red, the state's traditional colours. The official ensign also bears the arms with the lions and nettle leaf.
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Question 33Not answered
Where can you find out about political issues in Schleswig-Holstein?
Correct answer: at the State Centre for Political Education
Schleswig-Holstein's State Centre for Political Education is based in Kiel. Attached to the state parliament presidency, it provides publications, seminars and educational excursions.
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Question 31Not answered
From what age can you vote in local elections in Thuringia?
Correct answer: 16
In Thuringia young people can vote in local elections from age 16. The voting age for state parliament elections remains 18.
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Question 32Not answered
What colours does the state flag of Thuringia have?
Correct answer: white-red
Thuringia's flag is a white-and-red bicolour in the historic colours of the Landgraves. The state ensign also carries the arms with the lion and eight stars.
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Question 33Not answered
Where can you find out about political issues in Thuringia?
Correct answer: at the State Centre for Political Education
Thuringia's State Centre for Political Education, based in Erfurt, offers publications, seminars and events. It comes under the Thuringian state chancellery.
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