Centre Party (Germany) (Wilhelmine Era)

The German Centre Party (German Deutsche Zentrumspartei, or just Zentrum) is a christian democratic political party in Germany. Formed in 1870 it successfully battled the Kulturkampf which Chancellor Otto von Bismarck launched in Prussia to reduce the power of the Catholic Church. It soon won a quarter of the seats in the Reichstag and its middle position on most issues allowed it to play a decisive role in the formation of majorities.

Its centrist political position and willingness to work with parties of left and right has meant that Zentrum has spent more time in government than any other German political party 84 of the last 100 years.