The incumbent Christian Democratic Union (CDU) government led by Minister-President Roland Koch lost its majority.

The result of the election was extremely close but inconclusive, with the CDU winning just 3,500 votes (0.1%) more than the Social Democratic Party (SPD).

In the 2008 election campaign, CDU Minister-President Roland Koch took a tough stance against immigrant youth violence as an electoral tactic.

Other issues included minimum wage concerns, education, and controversy over the planned major expansion of the Rhine-Main airport.

Polling data narrowed as the election approached; both the CDU and SPD and their junior partners the FDP and Greens were essentially tied.

[3] SPD leader Ypsilanti had long refused to negotiate with The Left, but in October 2008 began talks to include them in a three-party "red-green-red" coalition with herself as Minister-President.