Question 61
Was bedeutet "Volkssouveränität"?What does 'popular sovereignty' mean?
Options
- Die Königin/der König herrscht über das Volk.The queen/king rules over the people.
- Das Bundesverfassungsgericht steht über der Verfassung.The Federal Constitutional Court stands above the constitution.
- Die Interessenverbände üben die Souveränität zusammen mit der Regierung aus.Interest groups exercise sovereignty together with the government.
- Die Staatsgewalt geht vom Volke aus.State authority emanates from the people.
Explanation
Article 20(2) of the Basic Law says: “All state authority emanates from the people.” That means ultimate political power lies with the citizens, who exercise it through elections and referendums or via their elected representatives. Monarchs, courts, or lobby groups may play roles in the system, but they derive any authority they have from the people, not above them.
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