[3] It ceased to function after the formation of second Merkel cabinet, which was installed after the 2009 federal elections and sworn in on 28 October 2009.

[2] Both CDU/CSU and SPD achieved a similar percentage of votes at the election (35.2% and 34.2%, respectively),[5] so they decided that each would receive eight cabinet seats (with six for the CDU and two for the CSU).

[6] Edmund Stoiber of the CSU was to become the Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, but refused the post on 1 November after a conflict with Angela Merkel over the abilities of the minister to succeed him, and chose to continue his state-level role in Bavaria.

With courage and humanity, was signed and accepted by the congress of the CDU, CSU, and SPD on 12, 13, and 14 November.

[3] Angela Merkel was elected Chancellor of Germany on 22 November 2005 by 397 votes to 202.