New FDP board member Nadin Zaya has directly challenged the party line articulated by leader Wolfgang Kubicki during the debate on the “firewall”. When asked if Kubicki’s statement, “I do not know a firewall” represented the new stance of the entire FDP, Zaya answered no. She noted that, for instance, she is aware of the concept of a firewall, stressing that the internal discussion on this topic remains ongoing within the FDP. According to her, utilizing the votes of the AfD to pass a motion would be taboo, as it would grant the opposition party an undue leverage point to influence democratic majorities-a leverage she believes the AfD would inevitably use in an undemocratic manner.
Regarding the weekend’s leadership election, Zaya stated that she does not see it as a definitive shift in the FDP’s direction. Choosing Kubicki does not signify that the party is moving further to the right. Pertaining to the ongoing rivalry between Kubicki and Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Zaya suggested that she could very well picture them eventually getting along, noting that their relationship has always been highly humorous and operates on a unique mode of communication that only works between the two of them.
Following his election, Kubicki had told “Tagesthemen” that he had no intention of winning over Strack-Zimmermann’s supporters. Zaya commented to the “Tagesspiegel” that this was a lasting mistake and speculated that his remarks were likely a reaction born out of the heated atmosphere of the party conference.
