Surprise Bid To Make Erhard Retire

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31209, 5 November 1966, Page 15

Surprise Bid To Make Erhard Retire

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) BONN, November 4. The West Berlin Mayor, Mr Willy Brandt, chief of the Social Democrat Party, moved last night to force the retirement of Chancellor Ludwig Erhard.

Mr Brandt requested a meeting with Mr Eugene Gerstenmaier, President of Parliament and one of those favoured to succeed Dr. Erhard as Chancellor and leader of the Christian Democratic Union.

Mr Gerstenmaier agreed to the meeting, but although both were in a Frankfurt hotel it was not held last night. The move by Mr Brandt came as a surprise since most observers felt he intended to make the Christian Democrats make the first overture. Dr. Erhard yesterday was given five days to find a Parliamentary majority or step down

The Free Democrats earlier broke up Dr Erhard’s coalition Cabinet over a planned tax increase to meet a 1967 budget deficit of £lOOO million. The walk-out cost Dr.

Erhard his Parliamentary majority. Such influential politicians as the former chancellor, Dr. Konrad Adenauer and the Bavarian Christian Democratic leader, Mr Franz Joseph Strauss, are understood to favour Mr Gerstenmaier. Mr Gerstenmaier shares the view of Dr. Adenauer and Mr Strauss that the Government should be more accommodating to General Charles de Gaulle.

Dr. Erhard spent most of today in seclusion at his residence. He has been Chancellor for three years. Few of Dr. Erhard’s fellow Christian Democrats feel he can make a new deal by Tuesday. The Bundestag will meet on Tuesday to receive Dr. Erhard’s Budget proposal for 1967.

The Social Democrats will move to throw it out on grounds it is unconstitutional and further demand Dr Erhard to submit to a vote of confidence.