With 261 in 1987 and as many as 81 candidates in the last federal election non-party actors are a numerically significant group. Taking into account the legal framework, the development of the German party system, the election results since 1949 and the personal motivation of the applicants, it is possible to outline fundamental assertions about this group. Idealism and party disaffection are the key drivers of engagement - directly followed by advertising and promoting oneself. In this sense, election posters and the very limited media attention are used as a form for presentation of more or less personal, social, economic and political agendas. The conclusion is that non-party actors, although numerous, are without chance at the federal level. Adapted from the source document.