West German federal election, 1972

The federal election in 1972 was held on 19 November 1972. The election of the 7th German Bundestag was the first early Bundestag election in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany. The election ended with the greatest success for the SPD in its history.

Background

• SPD: 242
• CDU / CSU: 234
• FDP: 42

Has necessitated the choice after the majority of the social-liberal coalition crumbled under Chancellor Willy Brandt in the course of the legislature gradually through change of mandate how. Example through the Erich Mende, who no longer wanted to support the policies of coalition

In April 1972, failed a vote of no confidence against Willy Brandt, in which Rainer Barzel should be elected chancellor, two missing votes. As it became known in the 1990s, while at least one vote against Barzel ( Julius Steiner, CDU) by the Ministry for State Security ( Stasi) had been bought (see Steiner- Wienand affair); the exact backgrounds are permanently unknown ( no-confidence vote in 1972 ). Nevertheless, the coalition had no majority capable of acting more so German President Gustav Heinemann in September 1972 after a negatively answered confidence of Chancellor Brandt dissolved the Bundestag.

Although already stood immediately after the failed vote of no confidence in April 1972 that the coalition had lost its majority, Brandt hesitated in agreement with the opposition the necessary confidence to fall out. Official reason was the Summer Olympic Games in August / September, the organization you did not want to overlap by a campaign, to form a government or even a change of government. Organizational issues played a role in all parties. For the SPD was added, moreover, that the poll numbers in the spring catastrophically failed and a change of mood was made possible by the Albrecht Müller largely planned campaign.

For the Union parties of the CDU party leader and chairman joined the CDU / CSU parliamentary group Rainer Barzel as chancellor candidate. It was an emotionally -run election with high voter turnout, because it was about the confirmation or rejection of the first Social Liberal coalition of federal history and its controversial nature Ostpolitik. The SPD benefited from its membership structure and good strength on the basis of local associations, the CDU did not already own.

For the first time were allowed to participate in the general election, young people aged 18 to 20 years, after the voting age for the right to vote of 21 was reduced to 18 years in July 1970. In addition, the minimum age for eligibility for election of the previous 25 years was reduced to 21 years. Incidentally, it was the only federal election, in which the minimum age to stand for election in 21 years was. Due to the reduction of the age of majority from 21 to 18 on 1 January 1975, the required age fell for the passive right to the Bundestag reduced to 18 years.

Official final result

¹ in brackets: number of representatives elected on the same day by the Berlin House of Representatives, non-voting members of the Bundestag in Berlin

The turnout of 91.1 % was the highest ever recorded in federal elections participation. The SPD was the first time form the strongest parliamentary group, this was previously always succeeded only Union Group of the CDU and CSU.

Results in the provinces

Consequences

Willy Brandt was re-elected in December 1972 as Chancellor of the SPD / FDP majority in the Bundestag, the coalition had this time, as opposed to the election of 1969, to reach the absolute majority of the popular vote and a clear majority in the Bundestag. Barzel remained initially CDU / CSU opposition leader, but took half a year later. With Annemarie Renger (SPD), a woman was elected President of the Bundestag for the first time; she was also the first member of the SPD, which held that post.