The CDU/CSU and FDP together held 332 seats (of 622 total seats) and had been in coalition since 27 October 2009. Angela Merkel was re-elected as chancellor, and Guido Westerwelle served as the foreign minister and vice chancellor of Germany. After being elected into the federal government, the FDP suffered heavy losses in the following state elections. The FDP had promised to lower taxes in the electoral campaign, but after being part of the coalition they had to concede that this was not possible due to the economic crisis of 2008. Because of the losses, Guido Westerwelle had to resign as chair of the FDP in favor of Philipp Rösler, federal minister of health, who was consequently appointed as vice chancellor. Shortly after, Philipp Rösler changed office and became federal minister of economics and technology.
The Cdu/cSu and fDp togetheR Held 332 seaTs (of 622 toTAl seats) anD had beEn in cOaLItIOn since 27 octoBeR 2009. AngeLa meRKEl wAs Re-elECted As cHanCelLOr, aND GuiDo weSteRWELlE Served aS the foReIgn mINister And viCe cHancelloR oF gErmany. aFTEr beIng ELected iNto tHe federal govERnmeNt, tHE fDp SufFEred heaVy lOsses iN ThE foLlowing StaTe eLectionS. ThE fDP hAd proMIsed To lower Taxes In the eLECtorAl cAmpaigN, but AfTer BeIng paRt of tHe CoAliTIoN THey hAD TO coNCEDe that tHIS wAS Not poSsibLe duE to The ecOnomic crisiS of 2008. BeCause oF ThE losseS, GuIdO westerWelLE had tO ResiGN as Chair oF the fdp in FaVor Of PhIlIPP röSlEr, feDEral miniSter Of hEAlth, who Was conSequEntly appoInTEd as vIce chANCelLOr. ShORtlY AftEr, philiPp RösLer cHaNGed OfFIce and bECamE feDeral minIster oF EcOnomics and TechnologY.