regional SPD government was replaced by a CDU-FDP coalition, giving the winners a working majority in the Bundesrat, the federal legislature's upper house. The Social Democrats losses were widely attributed to voters' discontent with the Agenda 2010 reforms. Subsequently, Chancellor Schröder triggered a loss in a confidence vote, which, in turn, necessitated an early general election. In the autumn of 2005, one year ahead of schedule, general elections were held and the Social Democrats were defeated. By 2011, unemployment had fallen from its 10% average of the mid-decade to around 7%, its lowest since the early 1990s. Some scientists see the wage depression in Germany fostered by the Agenda 2010 as one of the causes of the European debt crisis. See also Demographics of Germany Politics of Germany References Further reading External links A Quick Guide To ‘Agenda 2010’ – Deutsche Welle's English report on the Agenda 2010, 17 Oct 2003 Welfare in Germany 2010 in Germany Political history of Germany Economic policy in Europe Labor in Germany Reform in Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier