Liberal Democratic Party of Germany - Unification Attempts

Unification Attempts

In July 1946 the LDP and the liberal parties in the Western Zones founded a joint Coordination committee with the aim of forming an All-Germany liberal party (Deutsche Demokratische Partei, DPD). The founding of the Democratic Party of Germany began with a conference in Rothenburg ob der Tauber on March 17, 1947. Wilhelm Külz and Theodor Heuss (representing Western liberals) acted as co-chairman. Such undertakings failed quickly, owing to Külz's participacion in the SED-sponsored German People's Congress for Unity and True Peace. Although the LDP's Vorstand or leadership criticized that participation, it refused to take any further steps demanded by the West German liberals.

The failure of unification became imminent when on the session of the united leadership of DPD that took part on January 18, 1948 and which Külz refused to attend, Theodor Heuss argued that Liberal Democrats' unwillingness to take any measures against Külz proved their commitment to 'the Russian conception of German unity'. Upon in, Arthur Lieutenant, the spokesman of LDPD on the matter, declared that under those circumstances and concerning reproaches laid against East German liberals, any co-operation had been made impossible. This was in fact the end of DPD.