#69Die Bundesrepublik Deutschland hat einen dreistufigen Verwaltungsaufbau. Wie heißt die unterste politische Stufe?
The Federal Republic of Germany has a three-tier administrative structure. What is the name of the lowest political level?
Quick Controls
The correct answer is:
Municipalities.
Gemeinden.
Independent study resource, not a BAMF website. Translations are study aids; the exam is in German.
Quick explanation
The lowest political level in Germany is the municipalities.
Why is this correct?
The administrative structure has three levels: the federation, the states and the municipalities.
Background
Municipalities (Gemeinden) are the smallest political units with their own self-government (Article 28 of the Basic Law). They handle local matters: nurseries, local roads, cemeteries, citizens’ offices or waste collection. In local elections, residents elect the municipal or city council and in most states also elect the mayor directly.
Why are the other answers wrong?
City councils (Stadträte) are the elected bodies of a city – an organ of the municipality, not the level itself. District administrators (Landräte) head a rural district, and district offices (Bezirksämter) are the administrations of the districts in Berlin and Hamburg. None of these is the name of the lowest level.
Memory tip
Federation – state – municipality: the municipality is at the bottom and closest to the people.
Legal basis: Art. 28 Basic Law (GG) ↗
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