In the 1925 German presidential election, Admiral von Tirpitz persuaded Hindenburg to run in the place of Karl Jarres, the DVP/DNVP candidate, in the second round. It took a lot of pressure from Tirpitz to persuade the old soldier. But what if it hadnt worked and he'd have gone elsewhere? My assumption is that Germany gets a different president of a military hue, but one who will not lapse into the 'presidential government' nonsense peddled by Schleicher and the Kamarilla IOTL.
Tirpitz Tries Again
Admiral von Tirpitz left Neudeck with a great sense of frustration. He had failed to persuade Hindenburg to run in place of Jarres- it now seemed likely that Jarres would win the nomination and then lose to the Centre Party's Wilhelm Marx. Tirpitz himself was too partial to run, and Jarres would never stand down for him.
Then an idea struck him. He had been attracted to using Hindenburg for a few reasons: the army's goodwill, relative popularity, but no previous involvement in party politics. Tirpitz had himself driven to Koenigsberg, and boarded a plane to Berlin.
The next day, exceptionally early, Tirpitz went to Hannover. He thought that he had his man: not as popular as Hindenburg, but a hero, and slightly younger. A man who had been out of the public eye for a few years, like Hindenburg. The man who had entered the Pour le merite for his work in facing down the Brusilov Offensive on the Eastern Front.
The man welcomed Tirpitz into his home and listened to what he had to say. Although in his early seventies, he was in good shape and was willing to take a last chance to serve his country. Hands were shaken, and a telephone call to Berlin confirmed that Karl Jarres was willing to stand aside in favour of the new independent, although clearly conservative, candidate. The newswires were soon buzzing with the news. The army was pleased as well- some had had concerns about Hindenburg due to his cleverly-hidden incompetence, but the new candidate was universally admired.
And thus did the candidature of Alexander von Linsingen, former general and war hero, begin.
Tirpitz Tries Again
Admiral von Tirpitz left Neudeck with a great sense of frustration. He had failed to persuade Hindenburg to run in place of Jarres- it now seemed likely that Jarres would win the nomination and then lose to the Centre Party's Wilhelm Marx. Tirpitz himself was too partial to run, and Jarres would never stand down for him.
Then an idea struck him. He had been attracted to using Hindenburg for a few reasons: the army's goodwill, relative popularity, but no previous involvement in party politics. Tirpitz had himself driven to Koenigsberg, and boarded a plane to Berlin.
The next day, exceptionally early, Tirpitz went to Hannover. He thought that he had his man: not as popular as Hindenburg, but a hero, and slightly younger. A man who had been out of the public eye for a few years, like Hindenburg. The man who had entered the Pour le merite for his work in facing down the Brusilov Offensive on the Eastern Front.
The man welcomed Tirpitz into his home and listened to what he had to say. Although in his early seventies, he was in good shape and was willing to take a last chance to serve his country. Hands were shaken, and a telephone call to Berlin confirmed that Karl Jarres was willing to stand aside in favour of the new independent, although clearly conservative, candidate. The newswires were soon buzzing with the news. The army was pleased as well- some had had concerns about Hindenburg due to his cleverly-hidden incompetence, but the new candidate was universally admired.
And thus did the candidature of Alexander von Linsingen, former general and war hero, begin.
