Party conference
European elections: Strack-Zimmermann is the FDP’s top candidate
FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann is leading her party as the top candidate in the European elections in June. photo
© Michael Kappeler/dpa
FDP leader Lindner sees Europe’s difficulties. Nevertheless, he relies on solutions. Defense expert Strack-Zimmermann is running as the top candidate for his party.
The FDP chairman Christian Lindner is now urgently warning against turning the European elections on June 9th into a lesson for the established parties and voting for the AfD. “There’s a lot at stake on June 9th. It’s not a protest, but a design election on June 9th,” said Lindner at the opening of the European Party conference in Berlin.
The AfD is a threat to civil values and democracy. She wants to turn the European Union into a “quarry”. “The AfD’s program would ruin Germany economically. And that’s why this program must not be implemented under any circumstances.”
Lindner pointed out Europe’s difficulties in ensuring its own security, competitiveness and regulating migration. “The problems are so big that they can either be solved at European level or they remain unsolved.”
The FDP leader and Federal Finance Minister called on the EU states to invest more in their security and improve common military capabilities. “Not against NATO, not without Washington, but we must be able to defend the European Union, our values and interests even in cases of doubt.” This also includes closer cooperation between the fragmented European arms industry.
Linder relies on private initiative instead of subsidies
Economically, Europe faces challenges due to the protectionist tendencies of the USA and China’s desire for dominance. “Europe has lost competitiveness and dynamism in recent years,” said Lindner. The EU is attractive to other states if they have the feeling that Europe can be counted on economically in this century. “And that’s why it’s not just about redistributing what has already been achieved. It’s also about opening up new growth opportunities for this continent and its people.” This should not only happen through new subsidies, but also through strengthening private initiative.
When it comes to migration, a “new realpolitik” has been achieved in the federal government in Germany. This made it possible to develop a new realpolitik on this issue at the European level. “We remain in solidarity with those who are in need. We remain open to those who want to build something together with us. But we know: It is always the right of the receiving societies to decide with whom you show solidarity and who you invite into the labor market and for whom there can be no permanent right of residence.”
In Berlin, the FDP wanted to elect its defense politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann as the top candidate for the European elections. Lindner described it as a “declaration of war on those who want to destroy the European community project.” Such a high-profile and controversial politician is needed in Brussels and Strasbourg.