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The Nazi party was certainly the winner or the election in July 1932, where it became the largest party in the parliament. In March 1933 elections it became eve

by olavk 11y ago

The Nazi party was certainly the winner or the election in July 1932, where it became the largest party in the parliament. In March 1933 elections it became even larger, with 44% more than twice the size of the second largest party, the SPD. It just never had an absolute majority - the parliamentary act which effectively gave the party dictatorial powers was supported by the conservative and center parties.

danieltillett 11y ago
I guess we can argue over what it means for a political party to win, but the Nazi party were never able to gain the support of the majority of the German people.
- olavk 11y ago
  Would you say that Angela Merkels CDU "never won an election"? That would be a misleading statement when talking about a multi-party system rather than a two-party system. The Nazi party itself did not have an absolute majority at any point, but they gained power by getting support from a majority in parliament, representing a majority of the voters. The power was achieved legitimately, but then it was used to dismantle the democratic system.
  - iofj 11y ago
    Is it a "misuse" of democratic power to dismantle the democratic system ? Also, can you provide a link to that act of parliament ? I wonder about what happened there.
    - olavk 11y ago
      Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enabling_Act_of_1933 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enabling_Act_of_1933
  - danieltillett 11y ago
    I actually think Angela and the CDU have never won an election (especially if you exclude the CSU) - she just managed to get more votes than the SPD. If she led a coalition before an election that then won then I would consider her the winner, but just putting together a coalition after the election rather undermines any majority support. Having said all this Hitler did manage to work the Weimar system so he was able to grab total power - he always seemed to be proud that his rule was "legal".

by olavk 11y ago

danieltillett 11y ago

I guess we can argue over what it means for a political party to win, but the Nazi party were never able to gain the support of the majority of the German people.

olavk 11y ago
Would you say that Angela Merkels CDU "never won an election"? That would be a misleading statement when talking about a multi-party system rather than a two-party system. The Nazi party itself did not have an absolute majority at any point, but they gained power by getting support from a majority in parliament, representing a majority of the voters. The power was achieved legitimately, but then it was used to dismantle the democratic system.
- iofj 11y ago
  Is it a "misuse" of democratic power to dismantle the democratic system ? Also, can you provide a link to that act of parliament ? I wonder about what happened there.
  - olavk 11y ago
    Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enabling_Act_of_1933 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enabling_Act_of_1933
- danieltillett 11y ago
  I actually think Angela and the CDU have never won an election (especially if you exclude the CSU) - she just managed to get more votes than the SPD. If she led a coalition before an election that then won then I would consider her the winner, but just putting together a coalition after the election rather undermines any majority support. Having said all this Hitler did manage to work the Weimar system so he was able to grab total power - he always seemed to be proud that his rule was "legal".