With great approval, the Free Democrats have chosen defense expert Strack-Zimmermann as the top candidate for the European elections. FDP leader Lindner called her a “Eurofighter” and spoke of a declaration of war.
The FDP politician and defense expert Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann is leading her party as the top candidate in the European elections in June. In Berlin, she received the support of 90 percent of the delegates to the European Party Congress, as the FDP party conference presidium announced. 553 delegates voted for it, with 50 voting against and 10 abstentions.
During her speech, Strack-Zimmermann said: “What a great free world. What an awesome world. This world deserves to be celebrated.” But the world also needs to be protected and defended. “This economic and peace project has never been put under so much pressure, never been so attacked,” said Strack-Zimmermann. “The order of the day is unmistakable and visible determination.”
Strack-Zimmermann on Scholz: “Not my chancellor”
In the election campaign, she will also position herself against Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), the 65-year-old told broadcaster Welt TV on the sidelines of the party conference. “Now it’s about transporting as much FDP as possible to Europe – and I can’t take the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany into consideration.” Strack-Zimmermann referred to ongoing differences with Scholz on Ukraine policy. Here the FDP politician is calling for significantly more arms deliveries. “We have different views, so it’s not my chancellor,” she said.
The FDP politician is also campaigning for a reduction in bureaucracy in the European Union. This is necessary so that companies have room to breathe again and can be successful. “This chronic rage for regulation, this daily tattooing of ants must be ended once and for all. Because that was not the idea of an open and innovative Europe.” Strack-Zimmermann also warned of a “frightening rise in nationalism” in many European countries. Any social group could be the next victim of this thinking.
Lindner speaks of a “declaration of war”
Strack-Zimmermann is a “prominent and controversial personality” who will make the voice of liberalism heard in Europe, said FDP leader Christian Lindner. He described Strack-Zimmermann as a “Eurofighter” who could stand up to the populists in Europe. “It is our declaration of war against all those who want to destroy the European community project.”
The 65-year-old has been a member of the Bundestag since 2017 and has also been chairwoman of the Defense Committee since 2021. Her political career began as mayor of Düsseldorf in 2008. She has been a member of the Bundestag since 2017 and has headed the Defense Committee since 2021. She has been a member of the FDP since 1990 – and is now one of the most well-known liberal figures in Germany.
The FDP has to contest the European election campaign in a difficult political environment. In current surveys, the party achieves weak results – more than five percent are not expected.
In terms of content, the FDP wants to strengthen the EU and give it more power. For example, when it comes to foreign and security policy: There should be a European Defense Union and a European army, i.e. one over which the EU would command – under parliamentary control. Armaments should also be purchased more jointly.
Mathias Wetzl, RBB, tagesschau, January 28, 2024 10:22 a.m