Christian Democratic Union (East Germany)

Christian Democratic Union (East Germany). The Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) was a political party in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). Founded in the Soviet occupation zone in 1945, it was co-opted as a "bloc party" within the National Front, subordinate to the ruling Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED). After the Peaceful Revolution, it participated in the first and only free elections in 1990 and merged with its West German counterpart following German reunification.

History

The party was established on 26 June 1945 in Berlin under the leadership of figures like Andreas Hermes and Jakob Kaiser, aiming to unite Protestant and Catholic voters. Initially resisting Marxism-Leninism, early leaders were removed by Soviet authorities, with Otto Nuschke installed as chairman. It was a founding member of the Democratic Bloc in 1948 and, following the formation of the GDR in 1949, was integrated into the National Front. Throughout the Cold War, it served as a loyal partner to the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, providing a veneer of pluralism. During the Peaceful Revolution of 1989, new leadership under Lothar de Maizière emerged, leading the party to victory in the 1990 East German general election and negotiating the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany.

Ideology and political role

Officially espousing Christian democracy based on Christian socialism, its platform was aligned with the Socialist Unity Party of Germany's state ideology. It promoted the "socialist state of workers and peasants" and supported policies like the collectivization of agriculture. The party functioned to mobilize religious citizens and former members of the Centre Party for the GDR regime, presenting a Christian facade for state atheism. It maintained controlled criticism on church matters but fully endorsed the GDR's foreign policy, including the Oder–Neisse line and opposition to West German rearmament. Its publications, like *Neue Zeit*, propagated the party line.

Organization and structure

The party was organized hierarchically with a central committee, a secretariat, and regional associations corresponding to the GDR districts. Its youth wing was the Young Union GDR. Key affiliated mass organizations included the CDU-oriented Democratic Women's League of Germany and the Free German Trade Union Federation. The party held congresses, such as the pivotal 15th Congress in 1989, and maintained training facilities like the Otto Nuschke Academy. Leadership was consistently held by SED-approved figures, from Otto Nuschke to Gerald Götting and finally Lothar de Maizière.

Relationship with the SED

The CDU was a cornerstone of the National Front, a coalition entirely controlled by the Socialist Unity Party of Germany. It had guaranteed but subordinate representation in the Volkskammer, the State Council, and the Council of Ministers, holding perpetual portfolios like Postal Services. The relationship was governed by the principle of the "leading role" of the SED, with CDU policies requiring approval from the SED Politburo. The Ministry for State Security (Stasi) extensively infiltrated the party to ensure compliance.

Post-reunification

Following the 1990 East German general election, Chairman Lothar de Maizière became the only democratically elected Prime Minister of the GDR, overseeing the German reunification process. On 1 October 1990, the East German CDU dissolved and merged with the West German Christian Democratic Union led by Helmut Kohl. Many former members, including Angela Merkel, transitioned into the all-German CDU, with Merkel later becoming Chancellor of Germany. The party's archives are held by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Federal Archives of Germany.

Category:Political parties in East Germany Category:Christian democratic parties in Germany Category:1945 establishments in Germany Category:1990 disestablishments in Germany