94. From what age may one participate in the election to the German Bundestag in Germany?

Answer options

1. 16
2. 18
3. 21
4. 23

Explanation

The correct answer is 18. The minimum age for the active right to vote in Bundestag elections is set directly by Article 38(2) of the Basic Law and specified in § 12 of the Federal Election Act (BWahlG); it was lowered from 21 to 18 by a 1970 constitutional amendment and first applied in the 1972 federal election. This age threshold is compatible with the constitutional principles of universal, equal, free, direct, and secret suffrage in Article 38(1) GG as an objective limitation tied to electoral capacity. Note: Some Länder and European Parliament elections now allow voting at 16, but not for the Bundestag.