Adolf von Thadden

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Adolf von Thadden (July 7, 1921–July 16, 1996 in Bad Oeynhausen) was a leading far right German politician. Born into a leading Pomeranian landowning family, he was the brother of Elisabeth von Thadden, a prominent critic of the Nazis.

After serving in the Wehrmacht during World War II and spending a brief spell as a prisoner of war, von Thadden entered politics as a member of the Deutsche Rechtspartei and its successor the German Empire Party. As a member of both he served as a councilman in Göttingen from 1948 to 1958. Elected to the Bundestag in 1949, he was the second youngest member and was thus addressed by an SPD as 'Bubi' (a nickname that was stick with him). He became chairman of the German Empire Party in 1961 and in this postion was one of the signatories of the European Declaration at Venice which set up the National Party of Europe. Von Thadden played a leading role in formation of the National Democratic Party of Germany (NPD) by merging his party with a number of other rightist groups, including a revived German National People's Party in 1964. Although initially overlooked as leader in favour of Friedrich Thielen of the German Party, he was eventually appointed chairman in 1967. He remained leader until 1971, achieving strong showings in regional elections, although the party failed to gain representation in the Bundestag under his leadership (and have never managed to do so). Although a loyal supporter of his successor Martin Mussgnug von Thadden eventually left the NPD in 1975 after Gerhard Frey was appointed Federal Administrator of the party.

Since von Thadden's death it has been claimed that he worked for the United Kingdom's external security agency, MI6 [1].

Chairmen of the National Democratic Party of Germany
Friedrich Thielen (1964–1967) • Adolf von Thadden (1967–1971) • Martin Mussgnug (1971–1990) • Günter Deckert (1991–1996) • Udo Voigt (1996–)