For a »Europe of solidarity«

The first direct elections to the European Parliament are held in the then nine member states from 7 to 10 June 1979. Along with West Germany, these are Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. At a rally on 4 May, Chancellor Schmidt appeals for a political understanding of and greater solidarity within what is then the European Economic Community. The aim, he says, is to build a Europe in which »people are free« and where »countries help each other«. His predecessor, Willy Brandt, is the SPD’s top candidate and is able to win one of 81 German seats in Strasbourg. The average election day turnout tops 65.7 % (even 66.4 % in Hamburg), a figure that has never been reached since.