After 1969, CDU and CSU were in the opposition in the Bundestag. CDU leader Kohl wanted to win the liberal FDP again for a coalition with the CDU/CSU, while the CSU leader Strauß had different plans.
In the years following 1969, CDU and CSU found themselves in the minority in the Bundestag. Kohl, the CDU leader, aimed to regain the FDP's liberal support for a potential coalition with the CDU/CSU, whereas Strauß, the CSU leader, had different strategies.