West Germany Candidate for a Confident Time

The Kohl government is heavily favored as voters go to the polls

Few would have thought it possible just six months ago. Chancellor Helmut Kohl was then widely mocked as the most uninspired of politicians. But here he was last week, giving a campaign speech to a shouting, stomping, standing- room-only crowd in the city of Saarbrucken. Among his most enthusiastic supporters: hundreds of young people who waved flags and sparklers as the heavyset, bespectacled Chancellor made his way through the throng of 9,000 to the podium. After Kohl spoke, a spontaneous chorus of "Helmut! Helmut!" filled the room.

As West Germany's national election campaign drew to a close this week, the )...

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