Federal election campaign
The FDP relies entirely on Lindner and the change of course with the Union
Updated 12/10/2024Reading time: 2 min.
Was there something? The FDP, which is languishing below the five percent hurdle, is relying on the will to make fundamental changes in its election campaign – and is proclaiming further government participation as its goal.
“Everything can be changed” in a strong black and yellow: In its campaign for the new Bundestag elections on February 23rd, the FDP is relying entirely on party leader Christian Lindner, the desire for a change of course and cooperation with the CDU/CSU.
The black-green coalition or a new grand coalition between the Union and the SPD is expected to continue like this, said Lindner when presenting key campaign statements at the party headquarters in Berlin. “Without Free Democrats there is no chance for change.”
The designated Secretary General Marco Buschmann – Minister of Justice in the traffic light coalition – presented election posters and key statements. The party leader is shown there in black and white. “Give everything. Even for your job” and “The state is not your legal guardian,” they say. The FDP says: “Speaking well is not an economic achievement” and “Debt: Children are liable for their parents.” Regarding the often-demanded control of immigration, the Liberals demand: “Migration: Even good will must set limits.”
Buschmann said: “We want to become so strong that we are needed when the government is formed, when the next government is formed, that we can exert influence there and therefore be able to contribute to this decision on the direction of our country.”
Union Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz said that he wanted to be involved in serious changes. “And that will only be possible in a black-yellow government,” said Buschmann. “And if you have a real common ground, then understanding and cooperation is also possible.”
However, after the end of the traffic light coalition with the SPD and the Greens, the Liberals continue to languish with approval ratings below the five percent threshold and therefore have to fear that they will be able to re-enter the Bundestag.
Planning for the end of the coalition, which collapsed in the ongoing dispute over economic and financial policy, caused a stir. The FDP’s exit was described and played out with military terms such as “D-Day” and “open field battle”.
The paper also sparked strong criticism within the party. Secretary General Bijan Djir-Sarai and Federal Managing Director Carsten Reymann resigned. Doubts arose in public about the credibility of the FDP leadership, while the party leadership was heavily criticized in commentaries and television broadcasts.
In view of increasing disputes in the coalition, everyone was preparing at the time, Lindner said on Monday at an event organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Frankfurt. This also happened at the FDP party headquarters.
Lindner said he would not have used the term “D-Day” himself. According to the dictionary, it means “decision day” – separate from the Second World War. Former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) wrote about an “open field battle” in her biography, said Lindner. This was not scandalized by anyone. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) once spoke of a “bazooka,” which is a rocket launcher.
“I have the impression that a mistake by the FDP is being used here in order not to enforce ethical standards, but rather to pursue power politics in an ice-cold manner,” added Lindner. He himself didn’t need the paper and said: “It’s an intern’s paper.”