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Political and governmental change - FRG (Restoring civil service and…
Political and governmental change - FRG
Restoring civil service and government
Many Germans at time esp younger ones, felt that in haste to build a fed and regional civil service Adenauer allowed too many ex Nazis into govt
Part of problem = 1939 all govt workers had to join Nazi party or lose their jobs
Adenauer + others argued that letting ex Nais into govt = quickest and most effective way to move on
Idea of 1945 as 'year zero' and no questions asked = born
On 11 May 1951 Article 131 added to Basic Law allowing ex nazis to work in civil service = many people believed that this went too far and hinted at Nazi sympathies in CDU
1952 - Bundesstag report named 4 nazis working in foreign ministry saying that could damage FRG rep abroad
1953 League of Expellees Party led by SS officer Kraft won enough seats to be a part of the coalition - broke up in 1954 any many members joined CDU
When FRG began to establish own army 1955 faced similar problems with Nazi party membership and resolved by accepting ex Nazis
Adenauer's moves against political opponents had been open to question - worked to limit freedom of speech in way caused concern about shift away from democracy - concern voiced by SPD
SPD gained support after revising policies 1959 and supporting free market economy
1961 - Adenauer had tried to set up govt controlled tv station to play role in next election campaigns - SC ruled it unconstitutional as exec branch interfering with legislative
Oct 1962 Der Spiegel published article criticising performance of West German troops in recent NATO exercises - Adenauer ordered arrest of journalists which caused ministers to resign and Adenauer only got SPD coalition by promoising to resign
After Adenauer
2 more CDU chancellor Ehrhard 1963-66 and Kiesinger 1966-69
Both led coalitions where newly reformed SPD with more liberal stance, was gaining influence
Meanwhile CDU/CSU was splitting between Atlanticists (continue work with west) and Gaullists (prepared to work with France but shift focus to east germany)
Erhard followed Adenauer's Atlancist policies and tried to pass law on phone tapping and opening mail
SPD refused to support measures of privacy invasion + seen as another example of CSU conserv govt reaction to criticism
1966 Ehrhard introduced budget that included such heavy taxation that FDP ministers resigned - Ehrhard could not form coalition so resigned
Grand Coalition of CDU/CSU/SPD formed with Keisinger and chancellor and Brandt SDP leader as vice chancellor
Maintaining political stability under Brandt, Schmidt and Kohl 1965-89