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| 1966, Oct |
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| Defection of the Free Democrats from the government left Erhard and the Christian Democrats in a minority in Parliament. | 1 |
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| Nov. 8 |
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| The Christian Democrats and the Christian Social Union chose Kurt Kiesinger, prime minister of Baden-Würtemburg, as their leader. Erhard resigned (Nov. 30). | 2 |
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| Dec. 1 |
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| Kiesinger was named chancellor and undertook the formation of a GRAND COALITION GOVERNMENT, combining the Christian Democrats, the Christian Social Union, and the Social Democrats. Franz Josef Strauss of the Christian Social Union became minister of finance, and Willy Brandt, former mayor of West Berlin and the leader of the Social Democrats, became minister for foreign affairs. | 3 |
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| Dec. 13 |
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| In a programmatic speech, Kiesinger emphasized his intention to revivify the relationship with France and to attempt improvement of relations with Eastern European countries—all, however, without prejudice to West Germany's position in NATO. | 4 |
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