Schmidt, Helmut

Schmidt, Helmut (hĕl`mt shmĭt), 1918–, German political leader, chancellor of West Germany (1974–82). After serving in World War II, he entered politics and joined the Social Democratic party. He was elected to the Bundestag in 1953. Schmidt was Social Democrat leader in the Bundestag (1967–69) and in 1968 became party vice chairman. When the Social Democrat–Free Democrat coalition government was formed in 1969, he became minister of defense under Chancellor Willy Brandt. In 1972 he was made finance minister. Schmidt was elevated to the post of chancellor in May, 1974, in the wake of Brandt's resignation as a result of a spy scandal. He promoted better ties with East Germany and the USSR; cultivated ties with France, and economic cooperation among western European nations, while maintaining close relations with the U.S. He and the French president helped establish annual world economic summits of leaders from industrialized countries. In 1982 the Free Democrats withdrew from the coalition, and Schmidt's government was brought down by a vote of no confidence. He has been publisher of Die Zeit since 1983.

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Schmidt, Helmut

(born Dec. 23, 1918, Hamburg, Ger.) German politician, chancellor of West Germany (1974–82). A member of the Social Democratic Party, he served in the Bundestag (1953–61, 1965–87). He was minister of defense (1969–72) and minister of finance (1972–74) before succeeding Willy Brandt as chancellor in 1974. A popular and capable chancellor, he continued the policy of Ostpolitik while maintaining West Germany's key position in NATO and the European Community. His refusal to cut West Germany's social welfare programs prompted the centrist Free Democrats to defect from his governing coalition. Losing his majority in the Bundestag, Schmidt resigned the chancellorship after a vote of no confidence in the Bundestag in October 1982. He was succeeded as chancellor by Helmut Kohl. Schmidt has written numerous books on German politics and international relations.