Overview
- Announced on January 13 in Marburg, the selection targets a term the panel deems euphemistic and misleading in public communication.
- The jury said the expression’s heightened use in 2025 strongly shaped debates on state indebtedness and investment programs.
- Second place went to “Zustrombegrenzungsgesetz,” criticized for a water metaphor that frames migration as a threatening mass.
- The process drew 2,631 submissions with 533 distinct suggestions; the volunteer jury comprises four linguists, a journalist, and rotating guests, including Ronen Steinke this year.
- Coverage connected the choice to a roughly €500 billion off‑budget, debt‑financed fund created in 2025 outside the regular federal budget.