West Germany: Making the Grand Coalition Work

Like a swarm of locusts, five helicopters descended onto the concrete veran da of the shelterlike municipal auditorium in Braunschweig. From one stepped Chancellor Kurt Kiesinger, 63, there to attend the first convention of his Christian Democratic Union since he took office. Kiesinger quickly made it clear that he was also there to take charge. After a two-hour speech, in which he matter-of-factly demanded full control of the party, he was voted in as chairman of the C.D.U. by an overwhelming majority of 423 to 16, replacing Ludwig Erhard. He also, despite early objections, won almost as massive support...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!