Wolfgang Kubicki, the deputy chairman of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), views the current public interest in him as a significant boost for the party. Speaking to the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”, Kubicki noted that the FDP had become “publicly invisible” in the previous year, but that his candidacy has changed that dynamic over the last three weeks.
The politician added that while political rivals and many media outlets expected the FDP to regain success, his personal brand was currently unconnected to the party. According to Kubicki, this will change fundamentally once he assumes the role of party chairman.
Kubicki claimed that his public appearances are often met with enthusiasm, stating that people connect with “a feeling” he evokes rather than any specific detail he shares. While he was often characterized as someone who “speaks plainly” he cautioned that he couldn’t attach any concrete meaning to that description. Regarding the FDP’s electoral goals, he announced the aim of achieving a poll result “well above five percent” by May of next year.
Addressing his rival, Henning Höne, the FDP’s chairman in North Rhine-Westphalia, Kubicki stressed that they had “absolutely no problem” between them. He stated his intention is to help Höne grow, not diminish him. Overall, Kubicki anticipates that even his critics will eventually support his leadership, arguing that since they share the common goal of the FDP’s success, anyone working against him is ultimately working against the party’s success.
