Abstract
On the basis of high-resolution kinematic observations it has recently been suggested that the nucleus of M31 is disc-like and contains a supermassive black hole. Here we argue that the central kinematics in M31 can equally well be explained without black hole, if the observed nucleus is a rotating nuclear bar, seen end-on as implied by the Stratoscope II photometry. Then the large apparent rotation velocities are due to the large non-circular streaming velocities in the bar, and the required mass-to-light ratio is $$M/{L}_{\text{r}}\simeq 8$$ with no allowance yet made for dust absorption.

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