parties
FDP federal party conference differs from the course of the Greens
Secretary General Bijan Djir-Sarai at the FDP federal party conference. photo
© Joerg Carstensen/dpa
For three days, the liberals stake out their approach in the traffic light coalition. One thing is clear: the FDP is struggling with the path taken by the green coalition partner when it comes to climate protection.
The FDP sharpened its positions at a three-day federal party conference and distanced itself from the Green coalition partner on key points. The delegates insisted on the course of the FDP in transport policy and called for “major changes” to the Building Energy Act in a leading motion. A warning is given against dogmatic pre-determinations of individual technologies.
The motion aims to change a traffic light compromise. In essence, this means that from January 1, 2024, every newly installed heating system must be operated with 65 percent renewable energies and therefore – apart from exceptions and transitional periods – no more pure gas or oil heating systems may be newly installed.
“We talked about the issues that move people in this country. We talked about the future issues of this country,” said the FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai, who was confirmed in his office, in a concluding remark on Sunday, referring to his rising poll numbers Party, which is now back at 9 percent.
“Fitness cure” for Germany
The day before, Djir-Sarai had emphasized a stronger focus on the economy and growth and called for a “fitness cure for Germany as a business location”. A stable financial policy is the foundation for prosperity and growth. Fiscal policy must also be sustainable. He clearly set himself apart from the Greens without naming them directly. “Prosperity is not a law of nature in Germany either. Prosperity has to be earned and worked for,” he said. “The philosophizing about zero growth and renunciation of prosperity may fascinate left-green circles of chairs, but for us it is definitely not a model for the future.”
The FDP general secretary described climate protection as a “central international task for mankind”: it is of course also extremely important for the FDP. “But we want a climate protection policy that takes people with it instead of patronizing them. We want a climate protection policy that relies on openness to technology instead of the dead end of the prohibition culture.”
The FDP’s designated top candidate for the 2024 European elections, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, called for a European security policy and more German leadership. “If we don’t tick together in Europe, we won’t really be able to protect this continent either,” she said. The other European countries expected Germany to “take the lead and also set the pace”. Almost 80 years after the end of the war, this is a compliment: “That’s an honor, that’s an order, that’s a compliment.” That’s why you have “the damned duty to accept this role as a German”.
Lead proposal with known positions
On Saturday, after lengthy deliberations, the delegates adopted the central proposal of the national board. Under the heading “Yes to more prosperity – let’s use the energy of crisis management for an ambitious innovation and growth program”, it contains many well-known positions of the Free Democrats.
It is required to make Germany the world market leader for innovation and technological progress again, to create growth-friendly framework conditions and to fill the promise of advancement for all people with new life. Solid finances are needed, more digitization and less bureaucracy, a modern transport and energy infrastructure, a fair opportunity for wealth accumulation, above all through shares, and the best educational opportunities for all children.
In addition, “major changes” to the building energy law are required, which – with the approval of the FDP ministers – was passed by the cabinet. The FDP now criticizes that the regulations interfered too much with people’s self-determined lives. There should be “no expropriation of owners and tenants through the back door” due to climate protection regulations. A separate application for the law was also passed.
The FDP financial politician Christoph Meyer claimed for his party to combine self-determination with economic growth. He said: “We stand for Germany as a competitive industrial nation. Innovation and progress must be able to breathe freely, without a corset that cuts off air.”