Background: The GDR appointed agitators to spread its messages in factories, offices, etc. Often, they maintained Wandzeitungen, essentially bulletin boards or “wall newspapers” that contained propaganda, encouragement, and news. To provide them with material, the Socialist Unity Party (SED) produced resources they could use. There were many of these.
This is the full example of an issue on preparing for the 1986 election, which had assured results but was nonetheless an important propaganda event.
Source: Wandzeitungsmaterial zur sozialistische Demokratie. Für die Vorbereitung der Wahlen am 8. Juni 1986 (Berlin: Verlag für Agitations- und Anschauungsmittel, 1986).
GDR Bulletin Board Material on the 1986 Election
“Everything for the good of the people (Menschen), for the happiness of the people (Volk).”
To the left, statistics on apartment construction. To the right, statistics on day care places, educational expenditures, vacation support, medical facilities, etc.
Slogans to put on bulletin boards:
“Our contribution to the election: Everything to realize the decisions of the XI Party Congress of the SED!”
“Our votes for the candidates of the National Front on 8 June!”
“For socialism and peace. Our votes for the candidates of the National Front!”
“The stronger socialism is, the surer peace is!”
“Our German Democratic Republic — the country of peace, social security, belonging, and confidence in the future.”
“The Volkskammer is the only constitutional and lawgiving organ in the German Democratic Republic. No one can limit its authority.”
“All political power in the German Democratic Republic is exercised by workers in the cities and the countryside. The central task of the developed socialist society is raising the material and cultural life of the people on the foundation of rapid development of socialist production, increasing efficiency, scientific-technical progress, and the growth of labor productivity.” — Article 2 of the Constitution of the GDR
The text asserts that representatives in the Volkskammer serve the people, who have confidence in them.
“Socialist democracy begins in the workplace. 2.2 million people spoke during discussions of the 1986 plan. Workers made 735,377 proposals and suggestions.”
The chart shows the breakdown of members of the Volkskammer by age, sex, level of education, etc.
8 June is election Sunday
The text asserts that citizens around the country are working to make the country better. The bottom left box shows the value of work done by citizens to maintain housing. The “Mach mit” movement was a voluntary-compulsory program for unpaid labor.
Children are exemplifying their love of the GDR before the election. The slogan above the spacecraft: “Vote for the candidates of peace for us!”