The previous cabinet was a coalition government of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and The Greens led by Minister-President Hannelore Kraft.

The opposition coalition of the CDU and FDP won a slim majority of one seat.

On 22 May, the CDU and FDP boards unanimously voted to begin negotiations for a coalition.

[3] The FDP held an online membership ballot to review the pact, with 97% voting in favour on about 50% turnout.

[4] The CDU congress unanimously approved the contract the next day, and it was formally signed on 26 June.