The National Front of Democratic Germany (German: Nationale Front des Demokratischen Deutschlands, NF) was a popular front of political parties and mass organisations in East Germany. The NF was controlled by the Socialist Unity Party of Germany and was formed to stand in elections to the East German parliament, the Volkskammer ("People's Chamber"). It consisted of the following parties:
- Socialist Unity Party of Germany (Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands: SED) - now PDS
- Christian Democratic Union (Christlich-Demokratische Union: CDU) - incorporated into Western CDU
- Liberal Democratic Party of Germany (Liberaldemokratische Partei Deutschlands: LDPD) - incorporated into FDP
- Democratic Farmers' Party of Germany (Demokratische Bauernpartei Deutschlands: DBD) - incorporated into CDU
- National Democratic Party of Germany (Nationaldemokratische Partei Deutschlands: NDPD) - incorporated into FDP
and mass organisations:
- Free German Trade Union Federation (FDGB) - dissolved
- Free German Youth (FDJ) - shares headquarters with PDS
- Democratic Women's League of Germany (Demokratischer Frauenbund Deutschlands: DFD) - now dfb
- Cultural Association of the DDR- continues as Kulturbund e.V.
Contents |
The Composition of the Volkskammer from 1981 to 1986
| Political party/Organisations | Number of deputies | Percentage of seats |
|---|---|---|
| SED | 127 | 25.4 |
| CDU | 52 | 10.4 |
| LDPD | 52 | 10.4 |
| NDPD | 52 | 10.4 |
| DBPD | 52 | 10.4 |
| FDGB[1] | 61 | 12.2 |
| FDJ | 37 | 7.4 |
| DFD | 32 | 6.4 |
| KB | 21 | 4.2 |
| VdgB[2] | 14 | 2.8 |
Source: http://www.wahlen-98.de/HTML/ARCHIV/DDR-PART.HTM
Chairmen of the National Front
- Prof. Erich Correns (1950-1981)
- Prof. Lothar Kolditz (1981-1990)
Membership (4 parties altogether)
- 1977 365,000
- 1987 469,000
See also
- Politics of East Germany
- List of Volkskammer members (9th election period)
- United Front (PRC) for a currently running system similar to the National Front of the DDR.
References
- ^ Der Freie Deutsche Gewerkschaftsbund - Free German Trade Union Alliance
- ^ Die Vereinigung der gegenseitigen Bauernhilfe The Union of Mutual Peasants' Assistance
