“Kohl’s support for the rapid reunification of Germany was motivated by political opportunism.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that the rapid reunification of Germany was motivated by political opportunism and they may question the “Reunification Chancellor” Helmut Kohl’s reasons for overseeing the rapid reunification of Germany. To argue against the premise, Kohl stated that he hoped for reunification but did not expect it in “his lifetime” and that he was also concerned that reunification would be destabilizing, particularly with immigration from the east. In support of the statement, Kohl had been losing support in West Germany and feared his coalition would be defeated in the elections. As the Wall came down in 1989 the popular mood was clearly for reunification (“We are one people”) and his response to that mood restored his political fortunes. Candidates may argue that he was always committed to reunification but that the events of 1989 and 1990 meant that he had to manage a much more rapid process than he had anticipated.