Hitler Wins German Presidency

14 March 1932 – To the shock of the world, Adolf Hitler was elected the third President of Germany. Following the failure of the Beer Hall Putsch of 1924, many had relegated Hitler to the ashbin of history. Imprisoned and his party banned, Hitler’s chances of a comeback seemed impossible. But in the intervening years, Hitler has resurrected his political fortunes like Lazarus from the grave proving himself a man of miracles.

The race for president was considered wide open following President Hindenburg’s refusal to run for a second term. Claiming ill health, the German leader graciously refused any and all calls for a re-election bid. Citing his protégé’s reluctance to campaign and vowing to save the Weimar Republic’s fragile democracy from the forces of extremism, Chancellor Brüning entered the campaign as the candidate of the Centre Party with the Social Democrats pledging their support. Ernst Thälmann of the Communist Party and Theodor Duesterberg of the German National People’s Party quickly followed.

Yet, it was Hitler who showed remarkable acumen throughout the campaign. Using aircraft in his political strategy, dubbed “Hitler über Deutschland”, he traveled throughout Germany spreading his message of change, flying hundred of miles in a single day to give multiple speeches across the country. He railed against the Versailles Treaty, the Brüning government, the poor state of the German economy, and Left Wing forces drawing millions to his side while his challengers failed to counter any of his charges or stem the rising tide of Hitler's fortune. Further aiding Hitler’s prospects was the support of German business leaders who saw the Nazi leader as the only candidate willing, though many would say pliable, enough to support their interests.

Many held grave doubts in Chancellor Brüning’s campaign from the start as his austere economic policies had proven highly unpopular with Germans and showed no signs of ending the depression afflicting the nation. The election solidified these beliefs as the majority of the Chancellor's support came from Catholic and urban centers, the bastions of Social Democrats and the Centre Party.

Hitler accepted President Hindenburg's congratulations this morning. The aging president hoped his predecessor the best in the days to come. One can only wonder whether Brüning’s government will last in the days to come.

Now Germany must turn its eyes to an uncertain future with Hitler as its elected leader.

The final election tallies were:

Adolf Hitler (NSDAP)
19,360,000
(53.0)

Heinrich Brüning (DZ)
10,133,640
(27.0)

Ernst Thälmann (KPD)
4,983,000
(13.2)

Theodor Duesterberg (DNVP)
2,558,000
(6.8)

SOURCE: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung