Henning Höne, a candidate for the FDP party chairmanship, attributes the party’s dire situation to the failure to achieve a credible fresh start since the federal election. Speaking to “Stern” the North Rhine-Westphalian FDP state leader stated, “We lacked distance from the traffic light coalition era; a new start requires a break”. He emphasized the need to show voters who once supported the FDP that it is a newly formed party. Höne suggested that his own candidacy for the federal chairmanship clearly signals this necessary revitalization.
The competition for the chairmanship is becoming apparent, as party vice-chairman Wolfgang Kubicki announced on Easter Sunday that he too plans to run for the leadership at the party convention in May. Höne remains committed to his own bid, asserting that “My offer stands regardless of who else runs”. He stated that the party requires diverse viewpoints for any success.
Against immediate maneuvers, Höne advised against initiating internal disputes, arguing, “I do not support causing directional decisions right now. We must not also split the party. I stand for unity rather than division”. He believes the new chairman’s role must be to unite the party and intentionally utilize the strengths derived from its various ideological focuses.
Höne characterized the FDP’s current situation as an existential crisis, one deeper than the challenges faced in 2013 when the party first failed to enter the Bundestag. “The FDP is not missed at the moment” he commented. However, he noted that many people assure him, “Your ideas are needed; your perspective is required”. According to him, people want liberal politics, but the party itself is currently desired by few. “The FDP has a gap to fill” Höne concluded.
For the party’s revival, Höne is also focusing on a renewed communication style. He stressed the need to adopt an optimistic and solution-oriented message, highlighting the party’s unique selling points: the market economy, civil rights, and the principle of performance. Additionally, he feels there must be courage to be provocative. He declared, “I want to reclaim the leading role on social media that we once had”.
