referendum
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referendum
An instrument of direct democracy in which the eligible voting population votes directly on a political issue or a law. The result is usually legally binding.
In einem Volksentscheid stimmte die Mehrheit der Bürger für den Bau der neuen Umgehungsstraße.
In a referendum, the majority of citizens voted in favor of building the new bypass road.
This noun is made up of 'Volk' (people) and 'Entscheid' (a decision), connected by an '-s-'. So it literally means a decision by the people.
Das Ergebnis des Volksentscheids war für alle bindend.
The result of the referendum was binding for everyone.
Common verbs in connection with 'Volksentscheid' (referendum) are 'einen Volksentscheid durchführen' (to carry out a referendum), 'initiieren' (to initiate), or 'abhalten' (to hold). Citizens 'stimmen in einem Volksentscheid über etwas ab' (vote on something in a referendum).
Die Regierung plant, einen Volksentscheid über das neue Gesetz abzuhalten.
The government is planning to hold a referendum on the new law.
'Volksentscheid' (referendum) is a specific term from politics and law. It is used in news reports, political discussions, and legal texts.
Die Presse berichtete ausführlich über den bevorstehenden Volksentscheid.
The press reported extensively on the upcoming referendum.
referendum
A Referendum and a Volksentscheid are direct votes by the population on a political issue or law. Referendum is the broader term and is also used internationally, while Volksentscheid is the German term for this kind of procedure and usually emphasizes a legally binding result. Volksentscheid is therefore often the better choice in German political texts.
Die deutsche Zeitung nennt die bindende Abstimmung über das Gesetz einen Volksentscheid.
The German newspaper calls the binding vote on the law a referendum.
Ein internationaler Bericht bezeichnet die direkte Abstimmung über das Gesetz als Referendum.
An international report refers to the direct vote on the law as a referendum.
