[2] The centre (which previously briefly used the name "Christian People's Party" in the 1920s) and the Saarland CVP were united before, also as a "Christian People's Party", from July 1956 to April 1957.
The roots of the party limited its appeal primarily to Catholics disenchanted with the (lack of) Christian agenda in CDU.
[1] The (ultimately unsuccessful) plan was to include into CVP also the German Party, the South Schleswig Voters' Association, the Bavaria Party, and the Baden People's Party [de], some of which had already been involved with Centre through the Federalist Union [de].
The CVP took part in the 1965 West German federal election, but only in Saarland and North Rhine-Westphalia, due to the relatively small membership and financial support.
With all seats in the Saar state parliament lost,[4][5] party activity was stopped in 1970.