October
15, 1950
East
Germany has 1st National Election
East Germany held its first
national elections, with voting to take place for the Parliament and for
regional, local and communal legislative bodies. In what the propaganda
referred to as "the most democratic" elections ever held in Germany,
and various political parties were identified, voters were asked to vote
"yes" or "no" on a slate of candidates that had already
been drawn up by the Communist-dominated National Front. The choice was further
limited to approving or rejecting all candidates on the ballot. According to
official figures, there was an 87.44% turnout of eligible voters, and 99.72% of
them voted "yes" for the candidates. Otto Grotewohl was made the
nation's first Prime Minister following the election.
East Germany also known as
the German Democratic Republic was established in the Soviet Zone, while the
Federal Republic was established in the three western zones. The East was often
described as a satellite state of the Soviet Union. Soviet occupation authorities began
transferring administrative responsibility to German communist leaders in 1948,
and the GDR began to function as a state on 7 October 1949. Soviet forces,
however, remained in the country throughout the Cold War.
Born in 1950?
Then
congratulations for turning 65 and entering the world of Medicare. If you
would like to know more about the maze we call Medicare …
