Niedersachsen’s government is headed by a Ministerpräsident or Ministerpräsidentin.

Parliament elects; government carries out executive work.

Under the ordinary procedure, the Landtag elects the Ministerpräsident or Ministerpräsidentin by secret ballot with a majority of all its members. The elected person appoints the ministers. Before taking office, the government needs confirmation by the Landtag.

The head of government determines policy guidelines. Within those guidelines, ministers run their own departments on their own responsibility. Leadership therefore does not mean one person personally makes every administrative decision.

The other three answers

Similar leadership words do not replace the established title.

The ordinary election procedure has a regulated exception.

Article 30 describes delayed government formation: an initial 21-day period is followed by a further 14-day period for possible dissolution of the Landtag. If it does not dissolve itself, a subsequent election is decided by who receives the most votes. Saying “always an absolute majority” is therefore too broad.

The public elects the Landtag, rather than directly electing this government office. The Landtag’s five-year electoral term also does not guarantee any particular person five years in office. The test question requires the title, rather than the current officeholder’s name.