Helmut Kohl was no match for the historic moment

Kohl and his government clique were overwhelmed by the events in the GDR. They drafted the plan for the Confederation, which the GDR population did not approve of. The non-opportunist and uncorrupted part of the GDR intelligentsia did not want submission but a higher level of democracy. Kohl did not understand that, did not want that. He had no vision, he was a tactician of power.

Adenauer or Brandt each had their strategic plans in the background, such as ties to the West or, with Brandt, opening up to the East and “daring more democracy”.

Kohl, however, left the GDR to the West German companies and forced the deindustrialization and discouragement of the population. Although this corresponded to the real power relationships, but was not one millimeter ahead. It was missed a socio-political moment. The critical view of the European institutions also has its roots here. The ramblings of the political class of the great European Kohl only hide their own lack of strategy.