People’s Council adopts GDR Constitution

Early in December 1947 the „People’s Congress Movement“ was founded in the Soviet Occupation Zone (SBZ) under the leadership of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED). The „1st German People’s Council“ emerged from this in March 1948. Under the leadership of SED chairman Otto Grotewohl, the council was charged with the task of hammering out a constitution for the „German Democratic Republic“. This is adopted on 19 March 1949. Two months later the 1400 delegates of the „3rd German Peoples’ Congress“, who were chosen by means of electoral „unity lists“, will also give their formal agreement to the constitution of the future East German state.

© bundestag Call for the elections to the 3rd People's Congress: „Vote for peace, not for war“