Last week, students from Grades 8 to 12 at Leipzig International School participated in the Juniorwahl, an initiative designed to engage young people in the democratic process by simulating an authentic election experience. A total of 209 students took part in this meaningful exercise, casting their votes in a mock election that mirrored Germany’s real political landscape.
The Juniorwahl is more than just a practice run; it serves as a valuable educational tool, helping students understand how elections work, the role of political parties, and the impact of their choices. By providing a hands-on voting experience, the initiative encourages future voter participation and civic engagement.
The Results: What Would LIS Students Decide?
The students cast their ballots in two categories: Erststimme (First Vote) for individual candidates and Zweitstimme (Second Vote) for political parties. The results provided an insightful look at the political inclinations of our student body.
First Vote (Erststimme)
In the race for individual candidates, CDU’s Link emerged as the winner with 52 votes (24.88%), closely followed by SPD’s Sthamer with 49 votes (23.44%). The candidate for DIE LINKE, Pellmann, secured third place with 39 votes (18.66%). The remaining votes were distributed among AfD, Grüne, FDP, and other smaller parties.
Second Vote (Zweitstimme)
When voting for political parties, the CDU again led with 46 votes (22.01%), with SPD following at 40 votes (19.14%). DIE LINKE received 33 votes (15.79%), while the Greens (GRÜNE) secured 21 votes (10.05%). AfD, FDP, and several smaller parties rounded out the results. Notably, some students also cast invalid votes, emphasizing the importance of understanding ballot rules.
Learning Through Participation
Beyond the numbers, the Juniorwahl gave students a first-hand experience in voting procedures, from registering at the polling station to casting their ballots in secrecy. It sparked important discussions about political ideologies, voter responsibility, and the importance of informed decision-making.
For many students, this was their first encounter with a democratic election process. “It was really interesting to see how voting works and how different parties stand on key issues,” said one Grade 10 student. Another student remarked, “It made me feel like my opinion matters and has an impact.”
Looking Ahead
With the official elections in Germany in sight, the Juniorwahl at LIS played an important role in preparing our students to understand the process. As future voters, they are now better equipped with the knowledge and understanding to participate in real-world elections when they come of age.
The Juniorwahl demonstrates the power of experiential learning in shaping responsible and politically aware individuals. We look forward to continuing this tradition in the years to come, fostering a generation that values democracy and active participation in society.