Party Congress of the Liberals: More FDP, fewer traffic lights

No to tax increases, yes to the debt brake. On the second day of the FDP party conference, the delegates adopted the party leadership’s motion. And they continue to distance themselves from the traffic light coalition.

“Do what is important.” This is the motto of the FDP’s party conference. And looking ahead, from the party leadership’s point of view, it’s time for the liberal classics: stable state finances and strengthening the business location.

Secretary-General Bijan Djir-Sarai sets the tone of the lead motion: “Prosperity is not a law of nature in Germany either. Prosperity has to be earned and worked for. Philosophizing about zero growth and renunciation of prosperity may fascinate left-green circles. But for us it is definitely not a model for the future .”

“Yes to more prosperity” is also the title of the main proposal. From the point of view of the FDP, this requires being open to many technologies: whether for nuclear fusion, e-fuels or genetic engineering. The Liberals advocate faster approvals for infrastructure expansion, including when it comes to roads.

Fiscal policies for the middle class

And of course the party emphasizes that it is sticking to the debt brake and does not want to raise taxes – the central credo of the FDP Finance Minister Christian Lindner within the red-green-yellow federal government.

With this financial policy, the FDP is primarily targeting the middle class, General Secretary Djir-Sarai emphasizes: “We actually have to keep reminding ourselves that in this country there are not just people on the one hand and the super-rich on the other. There is a center in this country, and it is the task of the FDP to work particularly hard for this center in this country.”

Need to talk about the heating transition

The topic of installation bans for new oil and gas heating systems is becoming controversial. The traffic light government has agreed in principle that this should apply from next year.

But the FDP still sees a lot that needs to be discussed, as they already put on record after the cabinet decision. The question for the party congress: How sharply should the plans be tackled, which the Green Economics Minister Robert Habeck in particular has pushed?

“Draft law must not come like this”

Michael Kruse, a member of the Bundestag, demands as sharply as possible: “A good building energy law is affordable and does not, with high three-digit billion sums, ensure that such a law cannot be implemented.” This bill is unaffordable. “Neither for the state nor for the people in this country. That’s why he can’t come like this.”

Kruse received broad approval from the delegates. A signal with which the party leadership can live well: The FDP now wants to work all the more for changes to Habeck’s heating plans.

This is the balancing act that the liberals want to try in the future in the traffic light government. Show the flag clearly without questioning the alliance with the SPD and the Greens. Some criticize this as “opposition in the government”. The FDP calls it: “Do what is important.”