Marie‑Agnes Strack‑Zimmermann says she is still open to running with her party friend Wolfgang Kubicki as a joint leadership team for the FDP’s national chair. “We both know that in this position we carry a lot of responsibility” she told “Der Spiegel” on Tuesday. “This teamwork would be a positive signal, which we discussed briefly over the phone after the Baden‑Württemberg election”.
Kubicki, she added, is “very straightforward” an experienced politician, and the two of them are familiar with one another. They target different voter groups, she said, and that diversity “is precisely the charm of a collaboration”. “It’s always alleged that we can’t stand each other and certainly can’t work together. That’s nonsense” she continued.
After Strack‑Zimmermann had announced her willingness to stand for the chair as part of a dual leadership, Kubicki declined his offer on Monday. “I don’t know whether he will change his mind or run alone or with someone else” she said. “Either way, we will meet each other with respect”.
Strack‑Zimmermann also mentioned the possibility of a co‑leadership with FDP deputy Henning Höne. “I hold him in high regard” she said about the North‑Rhineland‑Westphalian party and parliamentary group leader. “You can’t just put two people side by side and say, ‘Now you’ll do this.’ There must be a fundamental trust and a willingness to cooperate”.
Höne is “relatively young but already very politically experienced” according to Strack‑Zimmermann. “He represents his generation, which will shape the FDP’s future long term” she added. “Given the massive loss of trust the party is experiencing, a collaboration would make great sense”.
