Leben in Deutschland
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Practice test 5

33 questions · 60 minutes · pass with 17

Answer every question, then tap Check results. Only then will you see which answers were right.

Choose your federal state for the 3 state questions

  1. Question 1Not answered

    When did the GDR build the wall in Berlin?

    Correct answer: 1961

    The GDR built the Berlin Wall from 13 August 1961 to stop the mass exodus of its own population to West Berlin. In 1961 alone nearly 200,000 people had already left the GDR via Berlin before the wall went up.

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  2. Question 2Not answered

    What is Germany not?

    Correct answer: a monarchy

    Germany is a parliamentary democracy and republic, not a monarchy. The last German monarchy ended in 1918 with the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II after World War I.

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  3. Question 3Not answered

    What happened in Germany on 9 November 1938?

    Correct answer: Jewish shops and synagogues are destroyed by National Socialists and their supporters.

    On 9 November 1938 (November Pogrom / Kristallnacht) National Socialists and supporters attacked and burned synagogues, Jewish shops and homes across the Reich. About 30,000 Jews were deported to concentration camps.

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  4. Question 4Not answered

    Which animal is the heraldic animal of the Federal Republic of Germany?

    Correct answer: Eagle

    The heraldic animal of the Federal Republic is the federal eagle (Bundesadler), a black eagle with red claws on a gold ground. The eagle was already the symbol of the Holy Roman Empire and appears in several states' coats of arms.

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  5. Question 5Not answered

    A woman is pregnant. She is specially protected by law just before and after the birth of her child. What is this protection called?

    Correct answer: Maternity protection

    Mutterschutz under the Maternity Protection Act protects pregnant and new mothers at work: they may not be employed during the six weeks before and usually eight weeks after birth. The period includes protection from dismissal and entitlement to maternity pay.

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  6. Question 6Not answered

    Which statement is correct? In Germany ...

    Correct answer: the state and religious communities are separate from each other.

    Germany has no state church; state and religious communities are separate under Article 137 of the Weimar Constitution, which remains in force via Article 140 of the Basic Law. The state is religiously neutral while guaranteeing freedom of religion.

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  7. Question 7Not answered

    What do citizens entitled to vote in Germany receive before an election?

    Correct answer: a polling card from the municipality

    Before every election the municipality sends a polling card to all eligible voters. It states the polling station, opening hours and constituency number and serves as proof of entry in the electoral register.

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  8. Question 8Not answered

    How did the Second World War officially end in Europe?

    Correct answer: with the unconditional surrender of Germany

    The Second World War officially ended in Europe with the unconditional surrender of the German Wehrmacht, signed on the night of 8–9 May 1945 in Berlin-Karlshorst. Hitler had already taken his own life on 30 April 1945.

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  9. Question 9Not answered

    Elections in Germany are free. What does that mean?

    Correct answer: The voter may not be influenced or forced to vote in a certain way and may not be disadvantaged by the election.

    "Free" is one of the five voting principles in Article 38 of the Basic Law: no voter may be pressured into a particular vote or disadvantaged for their choice. The other principles are universal, equal, secret and direct.

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  10. Question 10Not answered

    What is a custom in Germany at Easter?

    Correct answer: colouring eggs

    Painting and hiding eggs is the best-known Easter custom in Germany; on Easter Sunday children search for the eggs hidden by the Easter Bunny. The egg symbolises new life and the Resurrection.

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  11. Question 11Not answered

    Which court in Germany is responsible for labour disputes?

    Correct answer: the labour court

    Disputes from working life – over dismissals, wages or job references – are heard by the labour court. Labour jurisdiction is a separate court branch under Article 95 of the Basic Law; in the first instance, employees do not have to pay the other side's legal fees.

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  12. Question 12Not answered

    The type of economy in Germany is called ...

    Correct answer: social market economy.

    Germany's economic system is the social market economy: free markets and competition are combined with social balance and welfare. The concept was developed by Ludwig Erhard, the first economics minister under Chancellor Adenauer.

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  13. Question 13Not answered

    What does the term "European integration" mean?

    Correct answer: The term refers to the merger of European states to form the EU.

    European integration means the gradual political and economic merging of European states into today's EU. It began with the 1951 Coal and Steel Community and led through the EEC to the European Union, founded in 1993.

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  14. Question 14Not answered

    What existed during the time of National Socialism in Germany?

    Correct answer: the ban on political parties

    During the National Socialist era all parties other than the NSDAP were banned. The Law Against the Formation of New Parties of July 1933 made the NSDAP the only legal political party in Germany.

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  15. Question 15Not answered

    Which country is a neighbouring country of Germany?

    Correct answer: Luxembourg

    Luxembourg is Germany's smallest western neighbour; the roughly 135 km border runs along the Moselle, Sauer and Our rivers. Luxembourg is a founding EU member and hosts several EU institutions.

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  16. Question 16Not answered

    The Federal Republic of Germany is a democratic and social ...

    Correct answer: Federal state.

    Article 20(1) of the Basic Law defines the Federal Republic as a democratic and social federal state. Democracy, the social-state principle and federalism are protected against amendment by the eternity clause in Article 79(3).

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  17. Question 17Not answered

    From which country did most migrants come to Germany?

    Correct answer: Turkey

    The largest migrant group in Germany comes from Turkey. Its history goes back to the 1961 recruitment agreement that brought Turkish guest workers to the Federal Republic.

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  18. Question 18Not answered

    In a democracy, one function of regular elections is to ...

    Correct answer: to allow a change of government according to the will of the majority of voters.

    Regular elections give the majority of voters the chance to confirm or replace the government. This peaceful changeability of power is the defining feature of a democracy and distinguishes it from authoritarian systems.

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  19. Question 19Not answered

    Which honorary position must German citizens take on if they are asked to do so?

    Correct answer: Election assistant

    Anyone eligible to vote can be called to serve as a Wahlhelfer (poll worker) under election law; refusal is only possible in justified cases. Poll workers ensure proper voting and counting on election day.

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  20. Question 20Not answered

    When did the Second World War end?

    Correct answer: 1945

    The Second World War ended in 1945: in Europe on 8 May with Germany's unconditional surrender, and in Asia on 2 September with Japan's capitulation after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

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  21. Question 21Not answered

    Which of today's German states used to belong to the territory of the GDR?

    Correct answer: Thuringia

    Thuringia lies in central Germany and was part of the GDR until 1990. Today it is one of the five new federal states; its capital Erfurt was a key Luther city, and nearby Weimar is associated with Goethe and Schiller.

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  22. Question 22Not answered

    Trade unions are organisations representing the interests of ...

    Correct answer: employees.

    Trade unions are voluntary associations of employees representing their interests towards employers and politicians. They negotiate collective wage and working-time agreements; the right to strike is protected by the freedom of association in Article 9(3) of the Basic Law.

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  23. Question 23Not answered

    Germany is a member of the Schengen Agreement. What does that mean?

    Correct answer: Germans can travel to many European countries without passport control.

    The Schengen Agreement abolishes personal checks at the internal borders of participating states. Travellers can therefore move between most EU countries and several neighbours such as Switzerland without passport controls.

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  24. Question 24Not answered

    Which country was not an "Allied occupying power" in Germany?

    Correct answer: Japan

    Japan was not an Allied occupying power in Germany; on the contrary, it was itself a defeated enemy of the Allies in the Pacific. The four occupying powers in Germany were the USA, the Soviet Union, Great Britain and France.

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  25. Question 25Not answered

    A man with dark skin colour applies for a job as a waiter in a restaurant in Germany. What is an example of discrimination? He does not get the job only because ...

    Correct answer: he has dark skin.

    Rejecting an applicant solely because of skin colour is racial discrimination, prohibited under §1 and §7 of the AGG. Those affected can claim compensation within two months.

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  26. Question 26Not answered

    Which of today's German states used to belong to the territory of the GDR?

    Correct answer: Saxony

    The Free State of Saxony in eastern Germany was part of the GDR until 1990 and is today one of the five new federal states. Its capital is Dresden; Leipzig was the centre of the peaceful Monday demonstrations of 1989.

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  27. Question 27Not answered

    The German laws prohibit ...

    Correct answer: Unequal treatment of citizens by the state.

    Article 3 of the Basic Law prohibits the state from treating people unequally because of sex, descent, language, origin, faith or political views. All people are equal before the law.

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  28. Question 28Not answered

    What is the main task of a judge in Germany? A judge ...

    Correct answer: works in a court and makes judgements.

    Judges work in court and pronounce binding decisions based on statute and the constitution. Article 97 of the Basic Law guarantees their substantive and personal independence; they are subject only to the law.

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  29. Question 29Not answered

    The elections in Germany are ...

    Correct answer: secret.

    Article 38 of the Basic Law requires Bundestag elections to be universal, direct, free, equal and secret. Secret means no one may learn how an individual voted, which is why ballots are marked in a private booth and folded before going into the urn.

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  30. Question 30Not answered

    From which country did the first guest workers come to the Federal Republic of Germany?

    Correct answer: Italy

    The Federal Republic's first recruitment agreement was signed with Italy on 20 December 1955; the first guest workers arrived in 1956. Italian workers were employed mainly in agriculture, mining and construction.

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  1. Question 31Not answered

    For how many years is the state parliament in Baden-Württemberg elected?

    Correct answer: 5

    The Baden-Württemberg state parliament is elected for five years, as in most German territorial states. It sits in Stuttgart and usually has between 120 and 154 members.

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  2. Question 32Not 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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  3. Question 33Not 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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  1. Question 31Not answered

    For how many years is the state parliament in Bavaria elected?

    Correct answer: 5

    The Bavarian state parliament is elected for five years; this term has applied since 1998, having previously been four. It meets at the Maximilianeum in Munich and usually has about 180 members.

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  2. Question 32Not 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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  3. Question 33Not 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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  1. Question 31Not answered

    For how many years is the state parliament in Berlin elected?

    Correct answer: 5

    Berlin's House of Representatives is elected for five years and serves as the state parliament of the city-state. It meets in the historic Prussian Landtag building on Niederkirchnerstrasse.

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  2. Question 32Not 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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  3. Question 33Not 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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  1. Question 31Not answered

    For how many years is the state parliament in Brandenburg elected?

    Correct answer: 5

    The Brandenburg state parliament is elected for five years and meets in the reconstructed City Palace in Potsdam. It usually consists of 88 members.

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  2. Question 32Not 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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  3. Question 33Not 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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  1. Question 31Not answered

    For how many years is the state parliament in Bremen elected?

    Correct answer: 4

    The Bremen Citizens' Assembly, the state's parliament, is elected for four years. Bremen is one of the few German states that has kept a four-year rather than five-year term.

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  2. Question 32Not 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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  3. Question 33Not 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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  1. Question 31Not answered

    For how many years is the state parliament in Hamburg elected?

    Correct answer: 5

    The Hamburg Parliament (Bürgerschaft) is elected for five years. It meets in Hamburg's City Hall on the Rathausmarkt and has at least 121 members.

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  2. Question 32Not 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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  3. Question 33Not 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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  1. Question 31Not answered

    For how many years is the state parliament in Hesse elected?

    Correct answer: 5

    The Hessian state parliament is elected for five years and meets in the City Palace in Wiesbaden. It usually has between 110 and 137 members.

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  2. Question 32Not 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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  3. Question 33Not 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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  1. Question 31Not answered

    For how many years is the state parliament in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern elected?

    Correct answer: 5

    The Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state parliament is elected for five years and meets in Schwerin Castle. It usually has 71 members.

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  2. Question 32Not 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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  3. Question 33Not 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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  1. Question 31Not answered

    For how many years is the state parliament in Lower Saxony elected?

    Correct answer: 5

    The Lower Saxon state parliament is elected for five years, as in nearly all German states. It sits in the Leineschloss in Hannover and elects the Minister-President.

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  2. Question 32Not 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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  3. Question 33Not 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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  1. Question 31Not answered

    For how many years is the state parliament in North Rhine-Westphalia elected?

    Correct answer: 5

    North Rhine-Westphalia's state parliament is elected for five years and meets on the Rhine bank in Düsseldorf. With around 200 members, it is Germany's largest state legislature.

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  2. Question 32Not 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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  3. Question 33Not 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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  1. Question 31Not answered

    For how many years is the state parliament in Rhineland-Palatinate elected?

    Correct answer: 5

    The Rhineland-Palatinate state parliament is elected for five years. It meets in the Deutschhaus in Mainz, site of the 1793 Mainz Parliament, the oldest popularly elected assembly on German soil.

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  2. Question 32Not 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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  3. Question 33Not 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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  1. Question 31Not answered

    For how many years is the Saarland state parliament elected?

    Correct answer: 5

    The Saarland state parliament is elected for five years and meets in Saarbrücken. With 51 members it is the smallest parliament of any German territorial state.

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  2. Question 32Not 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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  3. Question 33Not 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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  1. Question 31Not answered

    For how many years is the state parliament in Saxony elected?

    Correct answer: 5

    The Saxon state parliament is elected for five years and meets in a modern building on the Elbe in Dresden. It elects the Minister-President and oversees the state government.

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  2. Question 32Not 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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  3. Question 33Not 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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  1. Question 31Not answered

    For how many years is the state parliament in Saxony-Anhalt elected?

    Correct answer: 5

    Saxony-Anhalt's state parliament is elected for five years and meets in Magdeburg. It comprises at least 83 members and elects the Minister-President.

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  2. Question 32Not 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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  3. Question 33Not 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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  1. Question 31Not answered

    For how many years is the state parliament in Schleswig-Holstein elected?

    Correct answer: 5

    Schleswig-Holstein's state parliament is elected for five years and meets in Kiel. It elects the Minister-President and is the only German state legislature with guaranteed representation for the Danish minority.

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  2. Question 32Not 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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  3. Question 33Not 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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  1. Question 31Not answered

    For how many years is the state parliament in Thuringia elected?

    Correct answer: 5

    Thuringia's state parliament is elected for five years and meets in Erfurt. It elects the Minister-President and serves as the Free State's legislative body.

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  2. Question 32Not 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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  3. Question 33Not 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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