For a party that had just been thrown out of office after nearly 30 years, Germany's Liberal Free Democrats (FDP) were looking remarkably cheerful, Denis Staunton writes. Many within the party, which has been part of every German government since 1969, were simply relieved to be back in the Bundestag at all, with 6 per cent of the vote.
The leadership team of the party chairman, Mr Wolfgang Gerhardt, and the general secretary, Mr Guido Westerwelle, appeared to be relishing the prospect of a period on the opposition benches. Within coalition, the FDP message of lower taxes, more flexible working practices and a leaner state often got lost. Also, the party was forced to compromise on liberal social issues, such as individual rights and citizenship, which are dear to the hearts of many members.
Sunday's election defeat probably marks the end of the political career of the Foreign Minister, Mr Klaus Kinkel, who no longer has a leadership role within the party. Elections at local, state and European level next year will provide the party with the chance to campaign for its own policies.
The Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS) will be the smallest group in the new Bundestag with just over 5 per cent of the popular vote, but the ex-communists are among the big winners of Sunday's election. Despite a campaign of vilification against them run by all the main parties, and despite Mr Gerhard Schroder's pledge to refuse their help in forming a government, the PDS increased its share of the vote and had four candidates elected directly.
More significantly, they broadened their support in the west, suggesting that the party could become a national left-wing alternative rather than a regional party.