Helmut Kohl

Helmut Kohl was a German politician who served as Chancellor of Germany from 1982 to 1998 and Leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) from 1973 to 1998. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest German leaders and is credited with the reunification of Germany in 1990 and the creation of the European Union (EU) and the euro currency. Kohl was born in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, a city in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, in 1930. He grew up in a conservative Roman Catholic family and joined the CDU youth organization in 1947. He studied history and political science at the University of Heidelberg and earned a doctorate in 1958. He worked as a business executive before becoming a full-time politician. Kohl was elected to the Rhineland-Palatinate state legislature in 1959 and became the state's minister president (prime minister) in 1969. He gained a reputation as a capable administrator and a moderate conservative. He also rose to prominence in the national CDU, becoming its deputy chairman in 1969 and its chairman in 1973. Kohl ran for chancellor in the 1976 federal elections but lost to the Social Democratic Party (SPD) led by Helmut Schmidt. He became the leader of the opposition in the Bundestag (West German parliament) and waited for his chance to take power. In 1982, he seized the opportunity when Schmidt's coalition partner, the Free Democratic Party (FDP), defected to join forces with Kohl's CDU-CSU alliance. Kohl passed a vote of no confidence against Schmidt and became chancellor. Kohl's first term was marked by economic difficulties and social unrest. He faced challenges from the environmentalist Green Party and the peace movement that opposed NATO's deployment of nuclear missiles in West Germany. He also had to deal with the rise of terrorism by groups such as the Red Army Faction. However, he managed to win reelection in 1983 with a comfortable majority. Kohl's second term saw an improvement in the economy and a reduction in unemployment. He also pursued a policy of reconciliation with France and other European countries. He supported European integration and advocated for a common market and a single currency. He also maintained close ties with the United States and supported President Ronald Reagan's efforts to end the Cold War. Kohl's third term was dominated by the historic events of 1989-1990 that led to the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and the collapse of the Berlin Wall. Kohl seized the moment and pushed for German reunification, despite opposition from some European leaders who feared a resurgent Germany. He negotiated with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and secured his consent for reunification in exchange for financial aid and NATO's non-expansion eastward. He also convinced his Western allies to support his vision of a united Germany within NATO and the EU. Kohl's fourth term was marked by the challenges of integrating East Germany into West Germany. He had to deal with economic disparities, social problems, environmental issues, and nationalist sentiments. He also had to cope with the consequences of the Gulf War, the breakup of Yugoslavia, and the rise of right-wing extremism. He continued to promote European integration and signed the Maastricht Treaty that established the EU and paved the way for the euro. Kohl's fifth term was marred by scandals and declining popularity. He faced allegations of illegal campaign financing and corruption. He also lost support from his coalition partner, the FDP, and from some members of his own party who wanted a change of leadership. He was defeated in the 1998 federal elections by the SPD-Green coalition led by Gerhard Schröder. Kohl retired from active politics but remained an influential figure in the CDU and in Europe. He was honored with many awards and titles, including the Charlemagne Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Honorary Citizen of Europe. He also published several memoirs and books on his political career and views. Kohl's later life was also marked by personal tragedy. His wife, Hannelore, killed herself in 2001 after suffering from a rare skin condition and depression. Kohl remarried in 2008 to Maike Richter, a former government official who was 34 years younger than him. He suffered a stroke in 2008 that left him in a wheelchair and impaired his speech. He died in 2017 at his home in Ludwigshafen at the age of 87.