of the Federal Republic of Germany (1982–90) and of Germany (1990–98). He became chairman of the Christian Democratic Party in 1973, and was leader of the opposition until 1982, becoming Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany when the ruling coalition collapsed. As Chancellor he showed a strong commitment to NATO and to closer European union within the European Community. In 1990 he presided over the reunification of East and West Germany and was elected Chancellor of the united country later the same year. The longest-serving postwar German leader, he won a fourth term in 1994 but in 1998 he was defeated in elections by Gerhard Schröder. In 1999 it was revealed that the Christian Democrats had received illegal funding while he was leader.