if inner- Even party democracy and formation of opinion function perfectly, not all party members will be able or willing to participate actively in the important decisions of a party. Furthermore, at the local level, active participation and contribution to party work is mostly carried out holders" by a smaller group of the members. These are mostly the "office detailed occupy political positions in electoral mandates, having more information as well as political (co-) decision-making power due to their mandate. Nonetheless, there are various options for active participation by "normal" party members that go beyond pasting billboards during election campaigns. Party members can inform themselves better on political matters and positions, and usually have easier access to p representatives and political office holders. They have the opportunity to take part in internal political discussions a can political forums themselves. Last but not least, they elect the party candidates for elections (Unfortunately, this is not the case in all parties, but in democratically organised parties the party members should really participate in the election of candidates!) and obviously, any party member should have the chance to compete for electoral mandates.