Volkskammer

The Volkskammer ("People's Chamber") was the Parliament of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). From its founding in 1949 until the first free elections on March 19, 1990, all members of the Parliament were elected on a slate controlled by the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED), called the National Front. On paper, the Volkskammer had great power, appointing the Councils of State and Ministers, and the Chairman of the National Defence Council. However, the Parliament had little real power, and the most dissent ever shown by Parliament to the SED was the nays of fourteen and abstensions of eight CDU representatives in a vote on liberalising abortion law.

Related Topics:
Parliament - East Germany - 1949 - March 19 - 1990 - Socialist Unity Party of Germany - National Front - Abortion

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A typical slate was as follows:

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Party/GroupAcronymMembers

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Socialist Unity Party of GermanySED127

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Free German Trade Union FederationFDGB68

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Christian Democratic UnionCDU52

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Liberal Democratic Party of GermanyLPDP52

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Democratic Farmers' Party of GermanyDBD52

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National Democratic Party of GermanyNDPD52

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Free German YouthFDJ50

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Democratic Women's League of GermanyDFD35

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Cultural Association of the DDRKB22

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In 1976, the Volkskammer moved into a specially-constructed building on Marx-Engels-Platz (now Schlossplatz again), the Palast der Republik (Palace of the Republic).

Related Topics:
Marx-Engels-Platz - Schlossplatz - Palast der Republik

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After the 1990 elections, the disposition of the parties was as follows

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Party/Group

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Acronym

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Members

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Alliance for GermanyCDU, DA, DSU192

Related Topics:
Alliance for Germany - CDU - DA - DSU

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Social Democratic Party of GermanySDP88

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Party of Democratic SocialismPDS, former SED66

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Association of Free DemocratsDFP, FDP, LDP21

Related Topics:
Association of Free Democrats - DFP - FDP - LDP

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Alliance 90B9012

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East German Green Party and Independent Women's AssociationGrüne, UFV8

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National Democratic Party of GermanyNDPD2

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Democratic Women's League of GermanyDFD1

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Othersother1

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