Frankfurt Coalition Collapses as FDP Quits Over Addiction Aid Center Dispute
The governing coalition in Frankfurt has fractured, with the Free Democratic Party (FDP) announcing its departure following a disagreement over the funding and implementation of an addiction aid center. The move throws the future of city governance into uncertainty just months before the 2026 local elections.
The fallout stems from a decision last week by the coalition – comprised of the Greens, Social Democratic Party (SPD), and Volt – to approve funding for an addiction aid center on Niddastraße without the support of the FDP. According to a statement released Monday, the FDP views this as a breach of the coalition agreement, which stipulated coordinated decision-making.
“The coalition agreement has been broken. We cannot continue under these conditions,” said a senior FDP official. “This must have consequences.”
The FDP had “appealed to the coalition partners not to go this way,” but their concerns were ultimately disregarded. The center is intended to primarily serve individuals struggling with crack cocaine addiction. While other factions assisted in securing a majority for the project, the FDP felt its voice was ignored.
A photograph from spring 2022, showing the coalition leaders working together, serves as a stark reminder of the now-strained relationship.
The decision to move forward without the FDP’s backing was particularly surprising to the liberals, who had anticipated continued collaboration. “Until the end, we assumed our coalition partners would not make a decision against our vote,” explained a spokesperson for the FDP parliamentary group. “Coalitions don’t work when agreements are disregarded.”
All coalition bodies will now operate without FDP participation, though the party indicated a willingness to engage in discussions on individual projects, particularly with the mayor. However, a leading figure within the FDP expressed skepticism about finalizing the city budget before the upcoming election. “It is an absurdity to decide a household ten days before the 2026 local elections,” they stated.
Despite the coalition’s dissolution, the two full-time FDP city councilors, Stephanie Wüst and Annette Rinn, will remain in their positions. “They were elected to represent the interests of the city, and that remains their priority,” a party leader clarified.
The FDP’s communication regarding its departure was criticized as disjointed. While the party internally communicated its decision on Friday, formal notification to the Greens, SPD, and Volt wasn’t delivered until Monday afternoon via email. The message reiterated the breach of the coalition agreement and the subsequent end of the alliance, while offering continued dialogue on projects aligned with liberal principles.
The news was met with surprise from the remaining coalition partners. A representative from the Greens stated, “We still had an exchange on Friday, and it sounded different.” Discussions are now underway between the Greens, SPD, and Volt to determine a path forward.
The SPD leadership expressed irritation at the lack of prior notification from the FDP. According to a senior official, the party maintains its commitment to upholding agreements. They emphasized the importance of continuing essential city functions, such as ongoing construction projects and the establishment of a children’s and youth parliament, as well as finalizing the 2026 budget.
Volt parliamentary group leader Martin Huber acknowledged the difficulties in reaching consensus with the FDP in recent times. He suggested that the Greens, SPD, and Volt should now focus on building a new majority, with the budget representing the most significant challenge.
Meanwhile, Dominike Pauli, leader of the Left party in Frankfurt, hailed the coalition’s collapse as a “huge opportunity” for the city, potentially paving the way for more progressive policies. She suggested the possibility of selective cooperation with the remaining alliance parties, citing the creation of a child and youth parliament as a potential area of collaboration.
The situation underscores the fragility of coalition governments and the importance of maintaining trust and open communication among partners. As Frankfurt heads towards the 2026 local elections, the coming months will be crucial in determining the city’s political landscape and future direction.
