IV.

Chancellor

Kohl and the CDU/CSU were returned to power by German voters in the 1983 national election. His new government sought moderate cuts in government spending and renewed support for West German commitments to allow troops and weapons of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to be stationed on West German soil. In addition, Kohl worked closely with French president François Mitterrand and other European leaders to increase cooperation among the European nations. By applying these policies successfully, Kohl was able to improve West Germany's economy and the nation's standing among European allies and with the United States.

But Kohl still faced trouble at home. His policies of limiting welfare benefits and funding for social programs in order to cut government spending raised substantial protest from labor leaders. Additionally, Kohl faced criticism from those who resented the stationing of NATO missiles in West Germany. Kohl was also hampered by quarrels among his coalition's parties, which—along with a party finance scandal and other embarrassments—undercut his popularity.

Kohl's coalition government was able to retain power after the 1987 national elections, but its majority in the parliament had slipped. New disputes within the government undermined proposed plans for reforming social welfare programs and lowering taxes. Kohl's coalition also bickered over cooperation with Communist countries and a controversial 1987 state visit by East German leader Erich Honecker.

In 1989 small radical right-wing parties drew votes away from the more centrist CDU/CSU in regional elections. Later that year, after Kohl discharged one of his critics from the CDU, other rivals in the party tried to oust him. The effort failed, but the dispute further hurt CDU unity and Kohl's image. Yet throughout these difficulties, Kohl managed to survive politically, and many Germans believed that Kohl was a suitable leader for a nation enjoying prosperous but relatively unremarkable times.