constituency / electoral district
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constituency
A geographically defined area whose eligible voters elect one or more representatives to a parliament or another political representative body.
Die Politikerin wurde mit großer Mehrheit in ihrem Wahlkreis wiedergewählt.
The politician was reelected by a large majority in her constituency.
The word is made up of 'Wahl' (election) and 'Kreis' (district/circle). So it literally describes an area, a 'Kreis' (district/circle), in which a political election takes place.
Jeder Wahlkreis sendet einen Abgeordneten ins Parlament.
Each constituency sends a representative to parliament.
In a political context, this noun is often used with certain verbs. Typical phrases are: 'in einem Wahlkreis kandidieren' (to run in a constituency), 'einen Wahlkreis gewinnen' (to win a constituency), or 'einen Wahlkreis vertreten' (to represent a constituency).
Er hofft, seinen Wahlkreis bei der nächsten Wahl wieder zu gewinnen.
He hopes to win his constituency again in the next election.
Pay attention to the prepositions. You live or vote 'in' einem Wahlkreis (in a constituency; dative). A politician runs 'für' einen Wahlkreis (for a constituency; accusative).
In meinem Wahlkreis gibt es fünf Kandidaten.
There are five candidates in my constituency.
district
'der Landkreis' and 'der Wahlkreis' can both mean a defined area, but they serve different purposes. A Landkreis is a normal administrative unit with municipalities, authorities, and everyday responsibilities. A Wahlkreis is an area only in the context of elections. There, citizens elect one or more representatives. The words are easy to confuse because both end in '-kreis' and refer to regions. Remember: 'Landkreis' belongs to administration, while 'Wahlkreis' belongs to elections.
Der Wahlkreis hat bei der letzten Wahl einen neuen Abgeordneten gewählt.
The constituency elected a new representative in the last election.
Im Landkreis bleiben die Schulen heute wegen des Schnees geschlossen.
Schools in the district are closed today because of the snow.