Helmut Kohl
* Re the article “At German Helm Since ‘82, Kohl Is Thriving,” Oct. 22: As a German citizen and a former partisan of Helmut Kohl, I read your report with special interest.
Indeed, Germany does suffer under stagnation. Kohl might not be the only reason for this situation, but certainly he is a part of the problem. But he can hardly be blamed for this. The lack of alternatives at all is depressing.
In my opinion, Kohl is a one-eyed man in the European kingdom of the blind. He is doing his job properly, but nevertheless his term of office is definitely too long. Political perquisites always threaten to block (imperceptibly) the necessary change as a basic element of democracy.
I find the American constitutional regulation to limit a government’s period exemplary.
ROLF JOACHIM SIEGEN
La Mesa
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