National Democratic Party of Germany (East Germany)

The National Democratic Party (German: Nationaldemokratische Partei Deutschlands, or NDPD) was an East German political party that acted as an organisation for former members of NSDAP or Wehrmacht. It should not be confused with today's extreme-right National Democratic Party of Germany (NPD).

Related Topics:
German - East German - Political party - National Democratic Party of Germany (NPD)

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It was recognised by the Soviet military administration, the SMAD, on 16 August 1948 and later sent 52 delegates to the East German parliament, the Volkskammer, as part of the National Front. None of these ever voted against the government on any issue, leading to suggestions that it was a puppet of the ruling party, the Socialist Unity Party of Germany. Nonetheless, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, it became an independent agent in politics.

Related Topics:
SMAD - 16 August - 1948 - Parliament - Volkskammer - National Front - Socialist Unity Party of Germany - Berlin Wall

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Its programme demanded, among other things, the promotion of the middle class and an end to discrimination against former members of the Nazi Party. It was organised on democratic centralist grounds and had 110,000 members in the late 1980s.

Related Topics:
Nazi Party - Democratic centralist - 1980s

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In 27 March 1990 the NDPD became part of the Bund Freier Demokraten, a short-lived organization that eventually merged in the Free Democratic Party of Germany (FDP).

Related Topics:
27 March - 1990 - Bund Freier Demokraten - Free Democratic Party of Germany

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