Alsace-Lorraine Party

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The Alsace-Lorraine Party (German: Elsäss-Lothringen Partei; also known as Elsässer) was a political party in the German Empire.

History

The party first contested national elections in 1874,[1] winning 15 seats.[2] It went onto win 15 seats in every election until 1890, when it was reduced to 10 seats. As more Alsatians emigrated to France, the party's support declined,[1] and it never won more than 10 seats following the 1890 elections. When Alsace-Lorraine was returned to France after World War I, the party disappeared.[1]

Ideology

The party represented the autonomist views of the French-speaking population of Alsace-Lorraine. It protested against the German government's policies on Alsace-Lorraine, Catholics and other ethnic minorities, and was frequently allied with the Danish Party, the German-Hanoverian Party and the Polish Party.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Vincent E McHale (1983) Political parties of Europe, Greenwood Press, p417 ISBN 0-313-23804-9
  2. ↑ McHale, p434