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Schmidt, 63, looked ashen as he shook hands with Kohl following the Bundestag debate that preceded the balloting. After eight highly visible years as Chancellor, Schmidt precipitated the no-confidence vote when he abruptly broke up the S.P.D.'s alliance with the Free Democrats and called unsuccess fully for new elections after it had become obvious last month that the Free Democratic Party (F.D.P.) was about to switch its allegiance to Kohl. Schmidt's departure from the glass-and-steel Chancellery in Bonn marks the end of an era. The economist-politician from Hamburg, a man of formidable intellect and political skill, established himself as a world statesman, the first West German leader since World War II to pursue an assertive foreign policy unclouded by guilt about the past. One long time acquaintance who was shocked by Schmidt's defeat, former U.S. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, praised the ousted Chancellor for "his great intelligence and a great deal of wisdom — he has a rare combination of both."
Schmidt spent his last evening as Chancellor working in his office until about 8 p.m., then took a car to S.P.D. headquarters on Bonn's Ollenhauerstrasse to address a rain-drenched rally of some 1,500 party faithful. Wearing his trademark blue wool sailor's cap, Schmidt drew thunderous cheers as he de clared: "The S.P.D. is the only party committed to peacemaking."
The Bundestag convened promptly at 9 the next morning. Speaker after speaker from each side droned on, charging the opposing forces with treachery and duplicity. Schmidt, dressed in a dark-blue suit, sat in the first seat of the government bench, characteristically studying documents, making small marginal notes, seemingly paying no attention to the debate. Kohl occupied seat No. 13 of the opposition benches; behind and above him, in the chamber's diplomatic gallery, were Kohl's wife Hannelore and their two sons, Walter, 20, and Peter, 18.
Schmidt began his 58-min. valedictory speech with a litany of S.P.D. accomplishments over the past 13 years. Then he lashed out at the newly formed center-right coalition that was about to bring down his government. "Your way of behaving is legal, but it has no inner, no moral justification," shouted Schmidt. "The voters will not forget this behavior for many years." He admonished Kohl to "tell the whole people to day, without ifs or buts, that we will elect a new parliament on March 6." Because of all the speeches, the secret balloting on Kohl's no-confidence motion began two hours later than scheduled. Though the votes were tallied behind closed doors, expectant Christian Democratic deputies got advance word that Kohl had won, and began slapping each other on the back and shaking hands. Exulted one: "We're back where we belong at last!"