A parliamentary term is the period of an elected parliament.
The state election determines the composition of Hessen’s parliament. The normal length of its term is set by the state constitution. For this question, connect the number five with the Hessian Landtag.
The Landtag elects the Minister President. Electing the members of parliament and electing the head of government are therefore separate processes. A change in the government does not automatically mean that voters immediately elect a new parliament.
The other three answers
The other numbers do not match Hessen’s normal parliamentary term.
3
Three years is too short. An unusually early election would not change the constitution’s normal term to three years.
4
Four years is incorrect here. Do not automatically apply the term of a different parliamentary election to Hessen’s Landtag.
6
Six years is too long. Article 79 specifies five years.
The normal term and an actual election date are different things.
The constitution allows the Landtag to dissolve itself by more than half of its statutory membership. Following dissolution, a new election must take place within 60 days. Five years is therefore the correct general answer, although not every term necessarily lasts that long.
The starting point is also regulated: normally, the new term begins when the previous one ends; after early dissolution, it starts on election day. The five years are therefore not a personal guarantee of office for individual members of parliament or government.
Articles 79–82 · Parliamentary term · Constitution of Hessen ↗Hessen: Landtag → five years.
Learn the parliament and number together. The title of the head of government is a separate question.
Three words for this question
- die Wahlperiodeparliamentary term
- The constitutionally defined period of an elected parliament.
- die Auflösungdissolution
- A parliament’s term ends early under the applicable rules.
- die Neuwahlnew election
- The election of a new parliament, for example following dissolution.