A West German Government spokesman said today that the Cabinet’s decision yesterday not to take measures to outlaw the ultra right-wing National Democratic Party (NPD) was motivated by the proximity of the national election. Election to the Bundestag, West Germany’s lower house, will take place next Sept. 28.
Conrad Ahlers said that the Government had material evidence to prove the NPD anti-democratic under German law but preferred to wait until after the elections at which time it may reconsider and take action. The Government said previously it wanted to leave the future of the party to the nation’s voters.
An NPD spokesman said today that two West German Army generals are party members but declined to name them. He also said that five colonels were party members. The Army has said there are no statistics available about military members of the party.
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