In his own words, Bergner made a written declaration that she left the Thuringian FDP parliamentary group. The statement signed by Bergner is available to the dpa news agency. It was initially unclear whether it had already been received by the state parliament on Monday.
FDP is believed to be downgraded to a group
Bergner had already joined the Citizens for Thuringia party on September 1, a spokeswoman for this party announced on Monday. Bergner had already announced both steps – joining the party and leaving the parliamentary group – before the parliamentary summer break. Bergner ended her membership in the Liberals in mid-July.
By leaving, the FDP loses its parliamentary group status in the Thuringian state parliament. According to Section 44 of the Members’ Act a parliamentary group must have at least five members. Without Bergner, there are only four liberal MPs in the state parliament. Presumably on Thursday, a special session of parliament will decide whether the FDP can form a group and thus retain some rights.
Vice-presidential post for FDP controversial
The fact that FDP members, for example, should continue to be able to work in the specialist committees, is now considered to have a majority. There are differences of opinion, among other things, on the question of whether the FDP can continue to provide a vice-president of the state parliament and what financial resources it should be able to count on.