European party conference of the FDP: Strack-Zimmermann should fix it

The European elections in 2024 will be the only major election in which the FDP does not have to worry about entering parliament. The party has big plans in Brussels with its designated top candidate Strack-Zimmermann.

How do the Liberals feel about the EU? Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann recently said it in her own way at the Epiphany meeting in Stuttgart: “I’m a total Europe freak.” Good prerequisites for her role as the designated top candidate for the European elections on June 9th. Today she is to be elected at the European Party Conference of the FDP in Berlin.

Strack-Zimmermann, the Liberals – they present themselves as Europe enthusiasts in the run-up to the election. However, they are definitely critical of the EU. Too much regulation, too many bans, that is the accusation in the draft program.

The pointer is pointing towards the EU Commission: under its President Ursula von der Leyen, additional bureaucracy has been continuously created. 50 percent less of it for the economy and only those rules that medium-sized companies can implement – that is the FDP’s demand. Also: more free trade, less subsidy policy. The draft program states: “Europe must become simpler.”

And slimmer. According to the wishes of the FDP, the EU Commission should shrink from the current 27 to 18 members. In addition, there will only be one seat for Parliament, in Brussels. The second seat in Strasbourg would then be eliminated – a proposal that is repeatedly discussed in the EU, but fails mainly due to resistance from France.

In terms of content, the FDP wants to strengthen the EU and give it more power. For example, when it comes to foreign and security policy: There should be a European Defense Union and a European army, i.e. one over which the EU would command – under parliamentary control. Armaments should also be purchased more jointly.

The handwriting of the designated Top candidate

Topics that bear the signature of the designated top candidate. Strack-Zimmermann is still chairwoman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag. She is considered one of the most vehement supporters of Ukraine and does not shy away from taking on Chancellor Olaf Scholz on this issue if his offers of military aid for Ukraine do not go far enough for her.

“Wow, the old woman is annoying,” said Chancellor Scholz’s chief foreign policy advisor, Jens Plötner, because Strack-Zimmermann didn’t let up. At a Bundeswehr conference last year, she publicly asked the Chancellor about a possible sustainable Ukraine strategy. She made the incident public on X (formerly Twitter). She has to take it – and she dishes it out.

The 65-year-old is known for her direct, quick-witted, sometimes rude speeches. She also says “cool” sometimes. Or “shit.” For example when it comes to the AfD. “The bigger the pile of shit, the more flies sit on it.” The sentence was said at a party event in Düsseldorf and caused a stir. Strack-Zimmermann then simply clarified that this referred to the generally dangerous political situation and that she had not mentioned anyone directly.

Strack-Zimmermann will leave Berlin and the Bundestag at her own request – or so she says. Evil tongues claim that they want to deport a troublemaker to Brussels. One that has repeatedly criticized the government when it comes to defense policy – and thus also its own party, which is involved in the government. Strack-Zimmermann denies this.

Her political career began in 2008 as mayor of Düsseldorf, from where she moved to Berlin. It is possible that the EU is now simply the next step for them, especially with a view to a new, strong EU defense and foreign policy. The resolute Rhinelander won’t be able to be sidelined so easily. It is quite possible that the EU will not make Strack-Zimmermann quieter, but rather make the EU louder.

What are they like? Chances of success?

It is certain that she will move to Brussels after the election: In the European elections, the FDP does not have to worry about entering parliament – unlike in the other elections this year, the state elections in Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg.

There is no threshold clause for German candidates in the European elections. Small and micro parties that are running for the European elections in Germany also make it into parliament. The question is rather how many other FDP candidates will follow Strack-Zimmermann to Brussels. More than five percent is not expected for the FDP in Europe either.