It isnot onty the London Stock Exchange which is fluttering because of election results. The Stock Exchange in the Federal Republic of Gormany has recently suffered the jitters; the rennon: the victory of the Social Demserats in the mmicipal olections in the biggest “Iend", the densely populated North Phine/Westphalia, snd the headway It bas made tm Lower Saxony. In North Rhine Mestphalic, the vote for the Sectal Democratic Farty oe rose from 40.7% in 1961 to 46.6%. The Christain Denceratic Union (CDU} fell from ie eo 430i. The Tree Nemceratic Party (FOP) dropped from 10.2% to 8, The smaller parties ect lesa than 1% each, Parhapa the most spectacular decline was experienced by the Gormen Pence Union (DFU - Deutecho Friedensunkon) which relies on the Commmist vote. The Communist Party is banned and cannot, the arate run its own candidates, In the Ruhr veiley, the industrial heart of Gerseany, the DFU obtained only 21,582 votes, a tare 0.3%. In the thirties, the German Communist Party gained millicns of votes. Im 10 of the 16 big towns in the land, the SPD won an absolute majority. In rural districts, however, it made little PrORTSSS.
fhe vote in lower Saxony shoved the SPD moving up from 53. HE to AFP. Gains were also registered by the CDU, fran 28.2% to 57.5%, and the rie, from 6.9% to 9.2%. The two latter partics made their aims «at the expense of extrome right wing parties.
there ie no doubt that the SDr moved ahead more because of the mistakes of the other parties then because of ita own nolicies. The Govern ment coalition of the GDOU and FUP hes alioneted meny voters. The onding of certain measures tusigned to protect tenants from Inmdlerds cost the tro partLes something in popularity. Ch neellor Erhard's accusations that inflation is: caused by consumers who are not "sober minded" sneered workine class wrote ers, Clashes between the extrone Tight wing of the Government, headed Strauss, amd a “middle of the road" wine led by Fareien Jffeirs iinister Schrider sleodangred the CHU. It-is still too enrly, however, cto predict a vietory for thea SDF in the federal elections scheduled for the autumn of 1965, The Govermment can counter with coneassions furing the coming veer, Jimone these will be a specialchild allowance form childran who continue At school after the age of 15, increnses in old apo pensions, improventnts In henlth insurance, etc.
The SDP haya a.tongrese scheduled for Noveribéer which will issue an election prograsme. Up to now, it does not appesr thet the leaders will come forward with anything inspire the working class electorate which gave them victory in North Rhine/Vestphalia and Lower Saxony.
from a German correspondent