Chancellor Brandt remains in office

The CDU/CSU fails with the first vote of no confidence in the Bundestag

The coalition of Social Democrats and Free Democrats, formed in 1969 under Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt, met with fierce parliamentary opposition from the CDU/CSU, who vehemently rejected Brandt’s new policy of détente with the East. This policy effectively accepted the territorial settlement of 1945, which had resulted in the loss of Danzig, East Prussia, and other territory in the East. The defection of several members of the governing coalition to the CDU/CSU reduced the government majority and encouraged the opposition to place a vote of no confidence. Seeking to prevent parliamentary instability and regular elections, the West German constitution stipulated that a sitting government cannot be removed unless a viable alternative government already exists. By 1972, the CDU/CSU could rely on a majority of just one vote and was willing and able to form a government. As a result, it called for a vote of no confidence against Chancellor Brandt on 27 April.

To everyone’s surprise, the alternative candidate to head a new government, Rainer Barzel, received two votes less than the required absolute majority. Rumours of bribery quickly emerged, and it later came to light that two CDU/CSU MPs had been bought off by the East German Stasi. Willi Brandt remained in office for a further two years.