‘Nazi’ Win In Hesse Poll

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31211, 8 November 1966, Page 17

‘Nazi’ Win In Hesse Poll

(N.ZJ’.A.-Reuter —Copyright)

FRANKFURT (West Germany), Nov. 7.

A shock election success by the far-Right National Democrats has come as a severe jolt to West German Government and Opposition leaders alike.

A judge once described the party as “a collection box for former Nazis.”

Last night’s result in the Hesse state elections can be expected to bring the politicians in Bonn under renewed pressure from public opinion for a quick solution to the 12-day-old Federal Government crisis.

Beside the unexpected victory of the Right - Wingers in Hesse, another surprise was that there was little change in the position of the main parties.

With 52 seats, the Social Democrats retained their absolute majority, but gained only one more seat in the state assembly.

For the first time in its two-year history, the National Democratic Party succeeded In surpassing the 5 per cent minimum vote needed to send deputies to a state Parliament or the Bundestag (Lower House).

The party has advocated the removal of all foreign troops and workers from West Germany, the removal of all the country’s armed forces from N.A.T.0., and an end to war crimes trials, as steps towards a new “national consciousness.”

Mr Henrich Fassbender, the party leader in Hesse, said the party’s success in returning eight deputies and obtaining 7.9 per cent of the total vote signified a “breakthrough battle.” ‘Alarm Signal" He predicted bigger gains in the Bavarian state election on November 20. Chancellor Erhard’s Christian Democrats, with 26 seats, and the Free Democrats with 10. were left with the loss of two deputies each—a not very significant decline.

In a first reaction, the chairman of the Opposition Social Democrats, Mr Willy Brandt, said the Rightists had gained ground “because of the irreparable mess of a government policy that has failed.” The Interior Minister, Mr

Paul Luecke, warned that the result was an alarm signal. “All democratic forces must deal with this phenomenon without delay and draw the political consequences,” he said.

Chancellor Ludwig Erhard’s coalition government was crippled by the walk-out of the Free Democrats 12 days ago, and he has promised to step down if necessary.