Abstract
The election in Germany's most populated Land brought the CDU to power in Düsseldorf, but also led to advanced federal elections which changed the destiny of the whole country. This article analyzes the background of this decisive election, as well as the campaign and the results. The defeat of the incumbent government is explained by the rising tumout, and the losses both to the right and to the left. The SPD lost its dominance among the economically active age groups, fared worse in the economically affluent parts of North Rhine Westphalia, and lost some university towns. Immediately after the results were announced, SPD leaders Müntefering and Schröder decided to “flee to the front”, bringing forward a new federal election. On the left, the results encouraged the foundation of a new federal party. These federal developments overshadowed the consequences for North Rhine Westphalia, where for the first time in 40 years, the CDU took over the helm.
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