"We Are the Alternative"

As Schmidt falters, the Christian Democrats bid for power

While Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev engaged in his latest effort to strengthen pacifist opposition to the deployment of new U.S. nuclear missiles in Western Europe, the Christian Democratic Union (C.D.U.), West Germany's main opposition party for the past twelve years, faced both an opportunity and a challenge. The opportunity was that Chancellor Helmut Schmidt's Social Democratic Party was so badly riven by the missile issue that it might not be able to retain power until the national elections scheduled for 1984. The challenge was that the Christian Democrats would have to contend with the widespread appeal of the "peace" movement in West Germany without compromising their basic stand for a strong military and the firm support of NATO.

The Christian Democrats' answer to the dilemma was contained in the slogan that stretched across the vast wall of Hamburg's Congress Center last week as the party met for its annual convention.

C.D.U. FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM, the sign read, clearly stressing the party's view that peace could not be taken for granted in the absence of the military strength that ensures a nation's liberty. By the time the convention ended, Leader Helmut Kohl, 51, had succeeded in appearing sensitive to the problem, while reaffirming his party's traditional support for a strong U.S.-linked defense.

"We are the alternative," Kohl boomed as the 830 delegates applauded. A poll published on the eve of the convention showed that the C.D.U. had gained so much momentum that if a vote were held today, it would win a clear majority of 50.3%. That is a remarkable comeback for a party that suffered the worst defeat in its history only a year ago, when Schmidt's coalition trounced the conservative Minister-President of Bavaria, Franz Josef Strauss, 53.5% to 44.5%, in the national elections, winning 271 seats in the Bundestag, against a total of 226 for the C.D.U. and its companion Christian Social Union.

Christian Democrats gracefully concede that they are not alone responsible for the sharp reversal in their fortunes.

Schmidt is hurt by a sputtering economy.

Last month unemployment reached a new record of 1.36 million, or 5.9%, and Economics Minister Otto Lambsdorff warned that the total could reach 2 million next year. But Schmidt's main problem is rising left-wing opposition in his party to the new U.S. missiles. The Chancellor could resign if his party does not support him on the issue at its convention next April.

Although Kohl himself is a staunch backer of the missiles, he improvised a sentence in his keynote speech to placate younger, skeptical C.D.U. members. "We belong to the peace movement," he declared. "And we want disarmament and detente." Kohl also agreed to let 500 jeans-sporting youths, some not party members, have a voice at the convention.

But the final document reflected Kohl's uncompromising stand on defense.

The foreign policy section approved by all but four of the 780 voting delegates pledged unreserved support for NATO missile plans, urged Moscow to make concessions in the forthcoming arms-limitation talks and stressed the importance of close relations with the U.S. "We stand in the middle of the land," said Kohl recently.

Such moderation and the backing of traditional policies, he is convinced, will carry him and the C.D.U. to power.

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