West Germany Reconsiders

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The Free Democrats, still reeling from charges of opportunism for precipitously abandoning Schmidt last September, now enjoy the support of only 3% or 4% of the voting public. That is short of the 5% necessary to assure representation in the Bundestag. The C.D.U.-C.S.U. coalition has dropped slightly, from 51% to 49%, according to a recent poll. If the Free Democrats fail to qualify, Kohl could be forced to form a minority government. Meanwhile, the opposition is gaining on him. From a low of 30% in opinion polls last year, the Social Democrats have rebounded to 41%. The proenvironment, antimissile Green Party is enjoying 6% in the polls, and could well displace the F.D.P. from its traditional role as West Germany's pivotal third party. The prospect of the uncompromising Greens holding the parliamentary balance of power is unsettling to both major parties.

Even if Kohl wins the coming elections, his margin could be razor thin. Still, Kohl insists he will regard any victory as a mandate to deploy NATO missiles if the Geneva negotiations should collapse.