The reform implied deep changes of the whole Danish public sector. It took effect from 1 January 2007, but was prepared from 2005. In the local elections of 15 November 2005, municipal councils for the upcoming 98 municipalities and 5 regions were elected. These councils were officially merger committees ("sammenlægningsudvalg") from 1 Jan 2006 through 31 Dec 2006. During that year, their task was solely that of preparing the mergers. On 1 Jan 2007 these elected committees were renamed municipal councils and now ruling the new municipalities, without new elections taking place.