1881 German Federal Election

27 October 1881 · The Imperial Reichstag · 397 seats, 199 for a majority

The dominant issues were protective tariffs and the government's requests for increased taxes. The conservative parties, which supported the government, lost seats, leaving the Reichstag without options for a stable majority.

Chancellor before

Otto von Bismarck

Independent

Chancellor (continued)

Otto von Bismarck

Independent

Largest force

Centre

100 of 397 seats

Turnout

56.3%

The result

Sort by

Centre

Ludwig Windthorst · 23.1% of votes · +6 seats

100

seats

DFP

Eugen Richter · 12.7% of votes · +32 seats

seats

DKP

Otto von Helldorff · 15.2% of votes · -9 seats

seats

Eduard Lasker · 8.8% of votes

seats

NlP

Rudolf von Bennigsen · 12.1% of votes · -52 seats

seats

DRP

Viktor I, Duke of Ratibor · 7.5% of votes · -30 seats

seats


Centre	Ludwig Windthorst	100	+6	1.177.033	23.1%	+0.3
DFP	Eugen Richter	58	+32	645.851	12.7%	+5.8
DKP	Otto von Helldorff	50	-9	776.436	15.2%	+2.4
LV	Eduard Lasker	48	—	450.166	8.8%	—
NlP	Rudolf von Bennigsen	45	-52	617.752	12.1%	-10.3
DRP	Viktor I, Duke of Ratibor	27	-30	382.149	7.5%	-6.1

69 further seats went to parties and independents outside the main contenders listed above.