Kohl’s Euro, 1982–1998

This chapter recounts how Helmut Kohl became German chancellor on October 1, 1982. Three days after he became Germany's chancellor, Kohl travelled to Paris to meet French President François Mitterand. In concluding his conversation with Mitterand, Kohl recognized that Germany would remain a colossus in the center of the continent and thus a potential menace. Kohl made clear his intention to keep nationalistic tendencies in check and work towards a pro-European future, but what that meant in practical terms was unclear. Four years after Kohl became chancellor, the only “pro-European” advance was the 1986 Single European Act (SEA). However, despite his “pro-Europeanism,” Kohl supported the SEA only passively. Through the years since Kohl had become chancellor, prospects of monetary unity had receded further.