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.