Majority of Young Germans Favor Second Airing of Holocaust Series

An overwhelming majority of young Germans not only approved of the showing of the NBC-TV “Holocaust” but are in favor of a second airing of the series. A public opinion poll published yesterday by the West German magazine, “Quick,” shows that 58 percent of all West Germans questioned want to see the series again with only 25 percent against a second airing. These percentages changed dramatically when the age of those polled was taken into consideration. Within the 18, to 39 age bracket, 64 percent favored a second airing.

The film seems to have influenced West German public opinion. While the Socialist-controlled government still refuses to take an official stand on the statute of limitations issue, saying that all members of Parliament should be free to cast their votes for or against according to their “own consciences,” the Christian Democratic Union opposition group is in disarray. While it had previously voted in favor of the statute of limitations which if adopted would go into effect Jan 1, 1980, several of its own members ate now asking the party to reconsider its decision.

Several newspapers reported that the resolution introduced last week in the U.S. House of Representatives by over 100 members calling an the West German government to modify the statue of limitations has upset large segments of West German public opinion. The government spokesman in Bonn said yesterday that the vote “does not mean a foreign involvement in internal German affairs.” But many German circles take a different view.

In the meantime, Denmark has decided to buy the “Holocaust” film and air it. The local television authority first refused “Holocaust” on both “historic and artistic” grounds but has now given in to a mass of popular appeals. The Swedish television will also air the program but Norway yesterday announced that it has no intention of doing so.