die Koalition
coalition
An alliance of two or more political parties that join together to form a government.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden größten Parteien bildeten eine große Koalition.
The two largest parties formed a grand coalition.
die Koalition
coalition
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Meanings
die Koalition
coalition
A general association or alliance of people, groups, or states pursuing common goals.
EXAMPLE
Eine Koalition aus mehreren Umweltverbänden protestierte gegen das Bauprojekt.
A coalition of several environmental organizations protested against the construction project.
Usage tips
Register: formal language
The word 'Koalition' (coalition) belongs to formal language and is mainly used in politics, the news, and official reports.
EXAMPLE
In den Nachrichten wurde über die neue Koalition berichtet.
The news reported on the new coalition.
Typical verbs
In a political context, 'Koalition' (coalition) is often combined with certain verbs. Parties can 'bilden' (form), 'eingehen' (enter into), or 'schmieden' (forge) a coalition. A coalition can also 'zerbrechen' (break apart/collapse).
EXAMPLE
Nach wochenlangen Verhandlungen konnten die Parteien endlich eine Koalition bilden.
After weeks of negotiations, the parties were finally able to form a coalition.
Sentence structure with prepositions
To name the partners in the alliance, you usually use the prepositions 'aus' (made up of/from) or 'zwischen' (between). For example, 'eine Koalition aus drei Parteien' (a coalition of three parties) or 'eine Koalition zwischen CDU und SPD' (a coalition between the CDU and SPD).
EXAMPLE
Die Regierung besteht aus einer Koalition aus drei verschiedenen Parteien.
The government consists of a coalition of three different parties.
Compare with
Koalition vs Union
union
In Germany, Union is the established term for the joint political group formed by the CDU and CSU. Koalition, by contrast, refers to an alliance of parties formed to create a government. The cooperation between the CDU and CSU is therefore not a Koalition simply because the two parties act together.
Koalition
Nach der Wahl bilden zwei Parteien gemeinsam eine Koalition.
After the election, two parties form a coalition together.
Union
CDU und CSU treten im Bundestag gemeinsam als Union auf.
The CDU and CSU appear together in the Bundestag as the Union.
In real life
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