John Fredrick Parker
Donor
Was reading the new book, Germany: The First Century (1871 to 1970) -- found out the he first democratically elected President of Germany, Paul von Hindenburg, was considering a second term, even though he was nearly 80, and (as it happened) would be dead in the next three years anyway. This was at a very delicate time, with the young republic in the throes of the Depression, and, what I consider to be one of the stranger figures in European politics*, Adolf Hitler, at the height of his influence. (Resident experts here on Germany or Depression era politics in general have likely heard of him.)
This got me thinking -- what if he had run again? Could he end up splitting the anti-NSDAP vote, giving us a President Hitler TL?** Or is he likely to win -- in which case, what happens when he dies two years later? AIUI, power would pass to whoever he picked as Chancellor until new a new election could be held, and considering the context, I wouldn't be surprised if TTL whoever it was Hindenburg had picked decided another election so soon in the midst of this kind of chaos just isn't advisable -- and passed a law to the effect where they just keep power until, say, the next one rolls around in 39, maybe longer. (FTR, right now I have no idea who that person could be -- input desirable on that front...)
What do you think?
*well, of those who ever actually had a shot of coming to power anyway...
**I do find those fascinating...
OOC: JTBC, the PoD is as described.
This got me thinking -- what if he had run again? Could he end up splitting the anti-NSDAP vote, giving us a President Hitler TL?** Or is he likely to win -- in which case, what happens when he dies two years later? AIUI, power would pass to whoever he picked as Chancellor until new a new election could be held, and considering the context, I wouldn't be surprised if TTL whoever it was Hindenburg had picked decided another election so soon in the midst of this kind of chaos just isn't advisable -- and passed a law to the effect where they just keep power until, say, the next one rolls around in 39, maybe longer. (FTR, right now I have no idea who that person could be -- input desirable on that front...)
What do you think?
*well, of those who ever actually had a shot of coming to power anyway...
**I do find those fascinating...
OOC: JTBC, the PoD is as described.
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