Sentence:  The argument that we cannot take part because of our history no longer holds true. This volte-face - a political <WSD>handbrake turn</WSD>, compared with the policies that Schröder's predecessor as SPD (Social Democrats) leader had stood for - was made simpler by the fact that the shift in German public opinion was as dramatic as the politicians' change of heart. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  An abrupt change of opinion.