referendum
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referendum
A direct vote by all citizens eligible to vote on a political question, for example a law or a constitutional amendment. Synonymous with referendum.
In einer Volksabstimmung entschied sich die Bevölkerung gegen den Bau des neuen Flughafens.
In a referendum, the population decided against the construction of the new airport.
'Volksabstimmung' (referendum) is a compound noun made up of 'Volk' (people; genitive: Volks) and 'Abstimmung' (vote). So it literally means a 'vote of the people'.
Die Regierung plant eine Volksabstimmung über das neue Gesetz.
The government is planning a referendum on the new law.
Common verbs used with 'Volksabstimmung' (referendum) are 'eine Volksabstimmung abhalten' (to hold a referendum) or 'durchführen' (to conduct one).
Nächstes Jahr wird eine Volksabstimmung über die Verfassungsänderung abgehalten.
Next year, a referendum on the constitutional amendment will be held.
The topic of the vote is given with the preposition 'über' (+ accusative). The result is often expressed with 'für' (for) or 'gegen' (against).
Die Mehrheit stimmte in der Volksabstimmung für den Ausbau der erneuerbaren Energien.
The majority voted in the referendum for the expansion of renewable energies.
choice / election
'die Wahl' and 'die Volksabstimmung' both have to do with citizens casting their vote. 'die Wahl' usually means that people are elected to an office, for example a parliament or a mayor. But it can also be used more generally for political votes. 'die Volksabstimmung' is more specific: all citizens eligible to vote vote directly on a political question, for example on a law. Learners may confuse the words because voting takes place in both. As a simple guideline: in a 'Wahl', you often elect people; in a 'Volksabstimmung', the people decide directly on an issue.
In der Volksabstimmung stimmen die Bürger über das neue Gesetz ab.
In the referendum, citizens vote on the new law.
Bei der Wahl entscheidet sich, welche Partei die meisten Stimmen bekommt.
The election will decide which party gets the most votes.