oct 1, 1982 - Kohl (CDU) becomes Chancellor in FRG

Description:

Successes:
-A further election in 1983 solidified victory. The strongest CDU election victory since 1950s with 48.8% of the votes
-Marked the end of SPD rule - die wende 'the turning point'
-58 seat majority
-A return to the tried and tested 50s centre-right politics
-Sought European integration and continued Ostpolitik
-First FRG chancellor to host a visit from GDR head of state Erich Honeker
-There was an unexpected improvement in the economy from 1987
-Reunification

Failures:
-The Bitburg controversy in 1985 - SS cemetery where Reagan visited Germany
-Struggle to tackle economic difficulties of high unemployment
-Allowed the US to put mid-range nuclear missiles in FRG
-Had problems of a growing underclass, mainly comprised of the Gastarbeiter (~8% of the population) but in some cities, this was as much as 50%.
-Kohl's credibility was undermined by sleaze (flik affair and Bitburg)
-1987 election they had fallen to 44.3% of the vote, which was the lowest since 1949
-Issues of unemployment

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