Spitzenkandidat

lead candidate

noun SHPIT-sen-kan-di-daat Rare

Also means

top candidate

Usage Note

Spitzenkandidat is a party's leading candidate, the public face of its campaign, from Spitze (top) and Kandidat. It is masculine; the feminine is Spitzenkandidatin. The term became prominent in European elections, where each bloc names a Spitzenkandidat for the Commission presidency.

Examples

"Die Grünen kürten eine erfahrene Spitzenkandidatin."

Natural Translation

The Greens chose an experienced lead candidate.

Literal Translation

The Greens crowned an experienced top-candidate.

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