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Democratic Party Saar 1947-1957 (Germany)

Demokratische Partei Saar, DPS

Last modified: 2014-01-05 by pete loeser
Keywords: democratic party of the saar | demokratische partei saar | dps | eagle (black) | letters: 3 (white) |
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Democratic Party of the Saar - Vertical Flag

[Democratic Party of the Saar (Saar, Germany)] Image by Marcus Schmöger

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Description

In the Saar the FDP had a special branch with a different name, the Democratic Party of the Saar (Demokratische Partei Saar, DPS). This was very much in favor of the reunification with Germany during the special status (until 1957) and was at times even illegal. The DPS used a distinct flag: red bordered yellow with the black eagle in the center with inscription DPS. However, the eagle looked to the opposite direction (to the hoist) compared with the FDP eagle (to the fly). Looking to the hoist (i.e. looking westwards) symbolized a "constant vigil for Germany" against France (at that time!). The flag was designed by graphic artist Hermann Müller from Saarbrücken while he was exiled from the Saar.
Marcus Schmöger, 13 September 2001

Abbreviated History of the DPS:

  • First (liberal) Program on 1946-01-11
  • Admitted to the Democratic Association of Saarland (DVS/ Demokratische Vereinigung des Saarlands): 1946-10-26
  • Official approval as a Democratic Party Saar (DPS/ Demokratische Partei Saar) 1947-02-28.
  • Prohibition 1951: intraparty takeover by pro-German nationalist forces, therefore banned on 1951-05-21 by the Saar Government as unconstitutional, on 1953-12-18 bann judicially confirmed.
  • 1955-05-05 and 1955-07-27 (modified by law): Re-establishment of the original name Democratic Party Saar (DPS).
  • 1957-08-11: Transition to Regional Branch Saar of the Free Democratic Party (FDP/ Freie Demokratische Partei) - however long with extensive organizational and political independence.
  • In 1961, the Free Democratic Party/Democratic Party Saar (FDP/DPS, 1968-2001 F.D.P. /DPS)
Source: Die Parteien im Saarland 1945-59.
Jens Pattke, 1 December 2013

Democratic Party of the Saar - Horizontal Flag

[Democratic Party of the Saar (Germany)] Image by Jaume Ollé and Jens Pattke

This version of the Democratic Party of the Saar did exist, but was rarely used. Usually the DPS favored displaying their flag as a banner, not as a normal (horizontal) flag.
Marcus Schmöger, 13 September 2001

The ratio is 3:5. It is a red over yellow over red horizontal triband with ratio 1:5:1. A black eagle is in the centre of the yellow stripe. On the chest of the eagle are the initials DPS in white letters. The flag adopted about 1950. Designed by Hermann Müller.
Source: Image from Die Parteien im Saarland 1945-59.
Jens Pattke, 1 December 2013

Thanks for sharing this with us. However, the given source photograph does show a vertical (hanging) flag. So the horizontal version and especially the 3:5 ratio is a conjecture, isn't it?
M. Schmöger, 5 January 2014

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