he was now installed as head of the press department at the national council of the national front, which was a political structure used by the ruling sed (party) to control the other political parties. he had already, in 1957, been appointed a member of the presidium and secretary of the national front. in 1964 he was given the honorary presidency of the country's , a position in which he continued to serve till 19 november 1976. that was when, on health grounds, he was replaced in the role by kurt seibt.