Founding of the All-German People’s Party

The buzz words „re-armament“ and „Western integration“ do not evoke only approval in the young Federal Republic of Germany. By contrast, some political figures go so far in their rejection of the foreign and security policies pushed by Federal Chancellor Konrad Adenauer (CDU) that they leave their parties and found, on 29 November 1952, the „All-German People’s Party“ (GVP). Its goal is to create a united and neutral Germany. The party’s founders include the later Federal President Gustav Heinemann (previously CDU) and Helene Wessel (previously Centre). An additional future head of state, the 21-year-old Johannes Rau (Federal President from 1999-2004), also becomes a member of the new party. The GVP will disband in May of 1957 after its unsuccessful participation in two elections at the state and federal levels. Johannes Rau will subsequently join the SPD.

© HdG GVP election poster