Juniorwahl 2021

A Germany-wide project which offers schools the opportunity to hold their own Bundestag elections for their students.

Although they are without the right to vote, under 18s in Germany aren’t completely denied a voice in the forthcoming elections: the Juniorwahl is a Germany-wide project which offers schools the opportunity to hold their own Bundestag elections for their students.  The results of these elections do not, of course, count towards the actual election but are scrutinised and researched as an important indicator of the political mood among young people.

This year, on Wednesday 15th September, the Juniorwahl was held under strict Covid-hygeine measures: this meant that, unlike four years ago, we were unable to invite representatives of the local political parties into school to address the students.  It has also meant restricting the event to Grades 9 to 12 in order to avoid over-crowding and to allow for disinfection.

Despite these restrictions, the students’ engagement and interest in politics has been impressive.  From the first call-out for help in running the elections – when a massive 27 students signed up to join Mr Bell and Mrs Edger in running the Juniorwahl – to some heated discussions about the German political system and its parties in Approaches to Learning (ATL) lessons, it is clear that our students are in no way apathetic.  With a tight deadline to meet, the team of volunteers even managed to create posters and a short video, shown in Morning Messages, to give their fellow students a short introduction to the main political parties and impress upon them the seriousness of the occasion.  A huge thanks goes out to all those students who offered their time and enthusiasm to support this event.

Having been formally counted by Mr Bell and his team of Wahlhelfer (election volunteers), under the same rigorous conditions that the actual election applies, the results of the Juniorwahl cannot be released until after the election on 27th September. 

As soon as we can, we will let you know where LIS opinion stands on this fascinating and important political moment. 

Gary Bell and Nicola Edger

Marketing Manager

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