1949 West German presidential election

Background

Under the 1949 Basic Law, the new office of the Federal President was given substantially reduced powers when compared with the preceding office of Reich President, which was subject to the abuse of emergency powers under Nazi Germany.

This was the first German presidential election in post-war Germany and the second indirect election since 1919 that elected Social Democrat Friedrich Ebert as Germany's first (Reichs)President. Later Reichs-Presidents were elected directly.

The term of a President lasts 5 years, with one possible consecutive re-election, while the Bundestag is elected for 4 years.

Members

Results

Only three politicians had declared to stand, and were supported by major parties: Heuss (coalition, potentially 395 votes), Kurt Schumacher (SPD, 279), Rudolf Amelunxen (Zentrum, 21 Sitze). The Communist KPD had no candidate, probably abstained.

There was no prior campaign, and without prior speeches nor debate, the Convention members voted for a Write-in candidate. Not all of the coalition party votes were for Heuss, as the number of abstentions was close to 10%, and four additional names received votes in the first round, Hans Schlange-Schöningen even some the second round. Adenauer soon removed him from Germany by appointing him ambassador to London.

Heuss assumed a largely ceremonial role upon his election as Federal President in the second round. He took the oath of office in front of Bundestag and Bundesrat the same day of his election, 12 September 1949. Heuss's duties notably included the nomination of the first Federal Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer of the CDU, who took office on 15 September 1949. Heuss got elected to a second consecutive term in 1954 and was not eligible for a third.

References

References

1. Turner, Henry. (1982). "Germany from Partition to Reunification". [[Yale University Press]].