Christian Dürr, the current leader of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), has withdrawn his previously planned bid for the party chairmanship at the end-of-May party convention. He stated his support for Wolfgang Kubicki in the leadership race. Speaking to the “Bild” on Easter Sunday, Dürr asserted that the FDP is set for future success, provided the party achieves unity. He announced, “I will contribute to this, I support Wolfgang Kubicki, and I will not run”. Dürr emphasized that his primary goal is to see the country move forward, arguing that “this requires a strong FDP with clear stances on a market economy and freedom. Wolfgang has what it takes to achieve that”.
However, FDP vice-chair Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann voiced criticism regarding the candidacy announcement of long-time party member Kubicki. Speaking to the “Tagesspiegel” Strack-Zimmermann argued that competition cannot harm a party like the FDP, which champions openness and the principle of merit. Yet, she cautioned against premature maneuvering, stating, “But now is not the time for personal vanity or late self-assurance, just because opportunities arise”.
The European parliamentarian criticized the move made by the 74-year-old, who had announced his candidacy the previous evening. She insisted, “The FDP must be guided toward the future by a new generation, not just by established figures”. Strack-Zimmermann suggested that both Kubicki and herself should use their public visibility to aid the party’s restructuring, “but together with the new generation, and not by merely obstructing them at the top”.
Strack-Zimmermann, who had previously suggested running as part of a co-leadership, has since shifted her support to Henning Höne, the state chairman of the FDP in North Rhine-Westphalia. She praised Höne, stating that he “stands for a clear market-oriented and socio-political profile and has the potential to achieve what has been neglected in recent months and which the remaining candidates cannot convincingly portray: the unification and defense of organized liberalism in all its breadth”.
