The 1991 Rhineland-Palatinate state election was held on 21 April 1991 to elect the members of the Landtag of Rhineland-Palatinate. The incumbent coalition government of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Free Democratic Party (FDP) led by Minister-President Carl-Ludwig Wagner was defeated, losing its majority. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) moved into first place, forming a coalition with the FDP. SPD leader Rudolf Scharping was subsequently elected as Minister-President.

Quick Facts All 101 seats of the Landtag of Rhineland-Palatinate 51 seats needed for a majority, Turnout ...

1991 Rhineland-Palatinate state election

← 1987 21 April 1991 1996 →
All 101 seats of the Landtag of Rhineland-Palatinate 51 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	2,125,407 (73.9%) 3.1%
First party Second party   Leader Rudolf Scharping Carl-Ludwig Wagner Party SPD CDU Last election 40 seats, 38.8% 48 seats, 45.1% Seats won 47 40 Seat change 7 8 Popular vote 951,695 822,449 Percentage 44.8% 38.7% Swing 6.0% 6.4%   Third party Fourth party   Party FDP Greens Last election 7 seats, 7.3% 5 seats, 5.9% Seats won 7 7 Seat change 0 2 Popular vote 146,400 137,139 Percentage 6.9% 6.5% Swing 0.4% 0.6%
Results for the single-member constituencies
Minister-President before election Carl-Ludwig Wagner CDU Elected Minister-President Rudolf Scharping SPD

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This election marked several changes in the state history:

First, a change in the state election system. Previous elections were held purely proportionally, however, from that election on, the elections were held more in line with the federal mixed-member proportional representation, with both direct constituencies and proportional representation.

Secondly, from 1991 on, the Landtag became elected for five years instead of the previous four.

Thirdly, the election marked a shift in the state's political alignment: for 44 years (1947-1991) the state had been governed by CDU, with CDU coming first in every election As of 2023^[update], the state has been continuously governed by SPD since the election.

The table below lists parties represented in the previous Landtag of Rhineland-Palatinate.