West German Chancellor Willy Brandt, who narrowly survived a no-confidence motion in the Bundestag (Lower House of Parliament) last week, said at a May Day rally in Dortmund on Monday (1 May) that he was prepared to open the way for new elections -- but not unless the opposition gave a pledge to refrain from trying to form a new government before elections could take place.

Ninety thousand people gathered for the rally in Dertmund's Westfalen Park, organised by the Trades Union Federation.

"One thing should be made clear," Herr Brandt said, "I am ready any day to open the way for new elections. But I am not ready to be taken in by a tactical manoeuvre which, instead of new elections, will place developments in the Federal Republic in the hands of a few wavering or even disloyal Members of Parliament."
The Chancellor maintained that despite his recent slim majority, his government was viable. He also referred to the treaties it the Soviet Union and Poland -- which come up for ratification in the Bundestag soon. Opposition to the treaties from Dr. Rainer Barzel's Christian Democrats indirectly led to attempts to unseat Herr Brandt. The Christian Democrats reject the treaties as they stand on the grounds that they permanently seal the partition of Germany.

Herr Brandt said that "the international timetable and the interests of our people make it necessary that the eastern territories should not be left lying, but that a decision should be taken on them shortly"
The Chancellor marched at the head of processions of workers and children carrying banners urging support for Herr Brandt and the treaties.

But there's reported progress towards a kind of political settlement over the treaties. An all-party steering committee meets on Tuesday (2 May) amid indications by government spokesmen that the crucial ratification debate is likely to be postponed to enable government and opposition to draw up a joint foreign policy declaration for submission to the Bundestag along with the treaties.