Elections for the Third German People's Congress were held in East Germany on 15 and 16 May 1949.Dirk Spilker (2006) The East German Leadership and the Division of Germany: Patriotism and Propaganda 1945-1953, Clarendon Press, p184 Voters were presented with a "Unity List" from the "Bloc of the Anti-Fascist Democratic Parties," which was dominated by the Communist-leaning Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED).
Overview The ballot was worded "I am for the unity of Germany and a just peace treaty. I therefore vote for the following list of candidates for the Third German People's Congress."Die Republik der Partei at Die Zeit with voters having the options of voting "yes" and "no".Ballot paper Direct Democracy () In much of the country, the vote was not secret.Germany at Encyclopædia Britannica
According to official figures, 95.2 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots, with 66 percent approving the list.Dieter Nohlen & Phillip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p771 This was the lowest level of support ever recorded for an SED-dominated bloc during the four decades of Communist rule, despite the election taking place under conditions that significantly constrained genuine political competition. In all subsequent elections until the Peaceful Revolution four decades later, the National Front, which succeeded the Democratic Bloc, would consistently claim 99 percent or more of the vote.
Results
Aftermath The Constitutional Assembly adopted East Germany's first constitution in October, and proclaimed the establishment of the German Democratic Republic on 7 October. It then transformed itself into the first Volkskammer.
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