»Responsibility for our country«

In mid-November 1977, 400 delegates assemble for the SPD national conference, which is being held in Schmidt’s home city for the first time in more than a quarter of a century. Along with traditional social and economic issues, the agenda also asks how terrorist threats can be addressed while still adhering to the values of democracy and the rule of law. The conference is being held only around a month after the end of the »German Autumn«. As Chancellor and deputy party leader, Schmidt promises that his government will continue to act decisively. But he also warns against »hysteria-driven rules« and »legislative activism«. In the leadership elections, Willy Brandt (second from right) and Herbert Wehner (second from left) receive slightly more votes than Schmidt.