In one of the developing countries, local and Soviet geologists discovered a tantalum ore deposit. Having learned about this, the CIA now intends to draw the country into the American sphere of influence: to incite discontent among religious communities, organize student unrest and provoke a severance of diplomatic ties with the USSR...

Two candidates are vying for the post of mayor of one of the major Western European cities - the Social Democrat Dr. Hayden and the "free nationalist" Alden. On the eve of the election, an independent journalist receives documents confirming Alden's connection with the secret services. He becomes the object of blackmail, but does not change his intentions to expose Alden.