In this article, we will explore in detail the impact of 1969 West German presidential election on our modern society. Since its appearance, 1969 West German presidential election has captured the attention of experts and the general public, generating debate, controversy and endless conflicting opinions. We will delve into its history, analyze its relevance in the current context and discuss possible future scenarios. Without a doubt, 1969 West German presidential election has left a deep mark on our lives, and understanding its influence is crucial to understanding the world around us. Read on to find out everything you need to know about 1969 West German presidential election.
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An indirect presidential election (officially the 5th Federal Convention) was held in West Germany on 5 March 1969. The incumbent President, Heinrich Lübke had served two terms and was therefore ineligible for a third. The Christian Democratic Union nominated defense minister Gerhard Schröder. Schröder was a controversial choice, even within his own party, since he had been a member of the NSDAP and the SA under Hitler. Other potential candidates included Helmut Kohl and Richard von Weizsäcker, relatively unknown names at the time, who would go on to serve as Chancellor and President respectively. Justice Minister Gustav Heinemann was nominated by the Social Democratic Party and supported by the opposition Free Democratic Party. With neither candidate able to win an absolute majority, Heinemann won the election on the third ballot by only 6 votes.
Gustav Heinemann became the first Social Democrat to be elected German President in 50 years.
The President is elected by the Federal Convention consisting of all the members of the Bundestag and an equal number of delegates representing the states. These are divided proportionally by population to each state, and each state's delegation is divided among the political parties represented in its parliament so as to reflect the partisan proportions in the parliament.
By Party | By State | ||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Members | State | Members |
CDU/CSU | 482 | Bundestag | 518 |
SPD | 449 | Baden-Württemberg | 75 |
FDP | 83 | Bavaria | 89 |
NPD | 22 | Berlin | 18 |
Total | 1036 | Bremen | 6 |
Hamburg | 16 | ||
Hesse | 46 | ||
Lower Saxony | 60 | ||
North Rhine-Westphalia | 145 | ||
Rhineland-Palatinate | 31 | ||
Saarland | 10 | ||
Schleswig-Holstein | 22 | ||
Total | 1036 |
Source: Eine Dokumentation aus Anlass der Wahl des Bundespräsidenten am 18. März 2012
Candidate | Parties | First round | Second round | Third round | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | ||
Gustav Heinemann | SPD, FDP | 514 | 49.6 | 511 | 49.3 | 512 | 49.4 |
Gerhard Schröder | CDU/CSU, NPD | 501 | 48.4 | 507 | 48.9 | 506 | 48.8 |
Abstentions | 5 | 0.5 | 5 | 0.5 | 5 | 0.5 | |
Invalid votes | 3 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Not present | 13 | 1.3 | 13 | 1.3 | 13 | 1.3 | |
Total | 1,036 | 98.75 | 1,036 | 98.75 | 1036 | 98.75 | |
Source: Bundestag |