German presidential election, 1925

The presidential election (Reichspräsidentenwahl) of 1925 was the first direct election to the office of Reichspräsident ("Reich President"), Germany's head of state during the 1919-1933 Weimar Republic. The first Reich President, Friedrich Ebert, died on 28 February, 1925. Ebert had been elected indirectly, by the National Assembly, but the Weimar constitution required that his successor be elected by the "whole German people". After two rounds of voting, on 29 March and on 26 April, Paul von Hindenburg was elected as the second president of Germany.

Related Topics:
1925 - Reichspräsident - Germany - Head of state - 1919 - 1933 - Weimar Republic - Friedrich Ebert - 28 February - National Assembly - Weimar constitution - 29 March - 26 April - Paul von Hindenburg

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Hindenburg was the candidate of a broad coalition of the political right. Many on the right hoped that once in power he would destroy Weimar democracy from the inside and restore the pre-Weimar status quo. The two other major candidates were Otto Braun of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and Wilhelm Marx of Zentrum (also known as the 'Catholic Centre Party'). Braun and Marx's parties were both members of the 'Weimar coalition': the group of parties regarded as most committed to the Weimar system.

Related Topics:
Otto Braun - Social Democratic Party - Wilhelm Marx - Zentrum - Weimar coalition

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The election was important because of the turbulent times in which it occurred and because, under the Weimar constitution, the head of state wielded considerable power. Hindenburg would be again returned in the 1932 election and would play an important role during the rise to power of the Nazis. However, many of Hindenburg's 1925 backers were subsequently disappointed. Although in the years that followed his election many questioned the constitutionality of certain of his actions, Hindenburg never attempted to overthrow the Weimar constitution outright.

Related Topics:
1932 election - Nazi

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