Evening star., 1961-09-17

pohricloH IN eleetlonSs To9e b-S
whether Chancellor Konra d
Adenauer's Christian Demo-
Gratis remain in power after
II years at head of the West
German government.
Their major opponents, the
Social Democrats. are running
West Berlin's energetic, At
year-old Mayor Willy Brandt
for the Chancellor's job.
Fair weather was in prospect.
and a record turnout was ex-
pected.
Four years ago, S7.8 per cent
Of eligible voters cast ballots.
This year pollsters predict up
to 81 per cent will turn out.
The voters will elect a new
four-year BundeStag (Parlia-
ment), which will actually
choose the next Chancellor.
Mr.. Adenauer's party governs
with a majority of 281, COM
pared with 1853 seats held by
the Social Democrats. 43 by
the Free Democratic Party and
5 by splinter groups.
Berlin Crisis Intervenes
The Christian Democrats are
strongly favored to remain the
largest party. But they are
given only an even chance of
holding onto their present alb
Solute majority. Without it, Mr..
Adenauer could be toppled in
favor of a Chancellor more ac-
ceptable to a coalition.
The campaign starte d
months ago with Adenauer sup
porters confident of winning
even greater support than in
1857. But the Berlin crisis made
many voters pause, and public
opinion polls showed a trend
away from the government
party.
The Berlin issue put life into
the dull campaign. 1t proved
also to be a ticklish problem.
Neither party wanted to ap-
pear to be exploiting Berlin for
partisan interests, but each also
sought to gain from it.
While German politicians ex-
changed bitter charges, the
country's allies waited impa-
tiently for the election deci-
sion. The Berlin problem has
wide international impact,
reaching far beyond West Ger
many.
Decisions Difficult
The firm steps needed to
settle 1t by negotiation were
difficult to take while the
future government of West
Germany remained in doubt.
Essentially German foreign
policy is not likely to change.
Both major parties are pledged
to stick to the Western alliance
and bear the military burden
assigned by NATO. Still, Berlin
is likely to require new de-
cisions which only the next
government can undertake.
AS customary, West German
campaigning tapered off on
the final day. Both Mr..
Adenauer and Mr.. Brandt
rested after a strenuous elec-
tioneering schedule. Last-nin-
ute speeches were passed up on
the theory they would have not
changed the outcome.
Election posters urged voters
to "live safely tomorrow, too"
with the Christian Democrats
or "go ahead with Willy
Brandt" and the Social Demo-
Gratis.
The campaign hit hard on
domestic issues. The Christian
Democrats, following a "suc-
cess and experience" slogan,
urged voters to hold to the
high-gear, free enterprise poll
cies Of Economics Minister
Ludwig Erhard. They have
earned the country a high de-
gree of prosperity.
Flaws Are Seen
The German economic
miracle" has its flaws, which
the Social Democrats at
tempted to exploit with a four
billion-mark Zone billion dol
lar) program of welfare state
benefits and public works.
The key to the election is
the big group of undecided
voters, pegged at 20 to 80 per
cent by the latest polls. e.
The Berlin crisis caused
much of the public hesitation
and apparently weighed against
the Christian Democrats to
some extent. The Social Demo-
Gratis hammered at the point
that the rigid Adenauer policies
left the Chancellor poorly
equipped to deal with the deli
cate situation.
The past record of the So
cialists was drag on Mr..
Brandt. The party switched
to it's strong stand by the
Western Allies and NATO only
in time for the election cam