Saarland Announcement of Plebiscite in 1955

SAARLAND issued on 22 October 1955 three definitive postage that were overprinted "VOLKSBEFRAGUNG 1955" to publicise the Saar Protectorate Independence Referendum (Plebiscite) to be held on 23 October of that year.

France offered to establish an independent Saarland, under the auspices of the Western European Union, but the referendum held on 23 October rejected the plan by a vote of 68% to 32%, with a 97% voter turnout. The rejection of the plan by the electorate was interpreted as support for Saarland to join the Federal Republic of Germany.