February 1867 North German federal election

February 1867 North German federal election

12 February 1867 (1867-02-12)
All 297 seats in the Reichstag 149 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	~65% (in Prussian constituencies)
First party Second party Third party   130x130px DKP DRP Leader Rudolf von Bennigsen Eduard Georg von Bethusy-Huc (nominal) Party NLP Conservative Party (Prussia) DRP Leader since 1867 1866 Seats won 78 63 39 Popular vote 753,758 629,360 348,537 Percentage 20.19% 16.86% 9.33%   Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party   130x130px 130x130px Polen Leader Georg von Vincke Benedict Waldeck Party Old Liberals DFP Polish Party Leader since 1858 1867 Seats won 31 19 13 Popular vote 265,670 276,321 209,382 Percentage 7.12% 7.40% 5.61%
450px Map of results (by constituencies)
President of the Reichstag after election Eduard von Simson Independent

Elections to the Constituent Reichstag of the North German Confederation were held on 12 February 1867, with run-off elections during the following weeks. The National Liberal Party emerged as the largest party, winning 80 seats and receiving strong support in Hanover, Kassel and Nassau. Voter turnout was around 65% in Prussian constituencies. After the Constituent Reichstag had drawn up and agreed a constitution, fresh elections were held in August.

Electoral system

The North German Confederation were divided into 297 single-member electoral constituencies. Elections were conducted under the two-round system. All men over the age of 25, who were in full enjoyment of their civil rights, who were resident in the place of election and had nationality in one of the States belonging to the Confederation for at least three years, who were not under guardianship or curate, who were not engaged in bankruptcy proceedings, and who were not in receipt of public assistance were eligible to vote.

Parliamentary groups

Two separate parliamentary groups would later be formed: the Free Association out of 11 liberals and 3 conservatives; and the Federal-Constitutional Association, out of 7 Schleswig-Holstein particularist liberals, one other liberal, 4 clericals, all 9 German-Hanoverians, and one independent conservative.