The Chancellor, 1969–74

Abstract

It was mainly on the basis of their outlook on foreign policy that the new coalition between the SPD and the FDP was formed; no agreement on domestic affairs was attempted. The negotiations proceeded speedily with the FDP obtaining three major ministries: Foreign – for party leader Scheel – Interior and Agriculture. This was more than their electoral success seemed to warrant and indicated the extent to which the small coalition partner was able to use its pivotal position. Despite this success the coalition was highly controversial, not only in the FDP, and Brandt was elected Chancellor by only two votes (251 to 249). Although this was two votes more than Adenauer had received in 1949, as Brandt was quick to point out, it also reflected the shaky ground on which the new government rested. This partly explains the enormous speed with which it tackled the tasks it had set itself.