report
The Liberals have chosen Strack-Zimmermann as their top candidate for the European elections. In Germany, the controversial defense expert is better known than almost anyone from the FDP. How does she appear in Brussels?
At a party conference in Brussels, the European party ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe) nominated its top candidate for the European election campaign: German defense politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann from the FDP. After her nomination, she appeared in Brussels at a campaign event organized by the liberal alliance “Renew Europe”. It is her first major appearance in the European capital – an appearance that is all about attention.
Together with the Italian Sandro Gozi (European Democratic Party) and the French Valérie Hayer (Renaissance), Strack-Zimmermann presents herself as part of “Renew Europe”. According to its own statements, the alliance unites centralist, liberal and democratic forces.
A political mix that creates a need for discussion at the election campaign event. Even a prominent speaker like Kaja Kallas, the head of government of Estonia, is drowned out by the audience: “I’m not used to speaking to an audience that isn’t really listening.” After all: When the three top candidates run to the stage, people stand and clap.
Focus on the election campaign in Germany
Of the top trio, Strack-Zimmermann is the first to speak: “Can you hear me? Because I can hear you.” In English she informs the audience about the volume in the hall. She limited the rest of her short speech to election campaign phrases: “Let’s renew this Europe now. I’m looking forward to an optimistic, pro-European campaign.”
The Frenchwoman Hayer is more specific in terms of content. In German, English and French, she lists the topics that will be important in the “Renew Europe” election campaign: defense, competitiveness, equal opportunities, climate change and responsibility in migration issues.
In contrast to Berlin, Strack-Zimmermann tends to stay in the background in Brussels. Her focus is apparently on the election campaign in Germany: The black and white election posters that were recently presented are reminiscent of Christian Lindner’s 2017 federal election campaign. And the self-proclaimed “Eurofighter” has been explaining her politics on TikTok since last week. Of course, it’s also about defense there: one of the few topics on which she gets specific in Brussels, away from the big show stage.
Strack-Zimmermann as “Grandma Courage”: One of the FDP’s election posters.
Strack-Zimmermann: “European Defense Union”
In view of the war in Ukraine, European security is one of the big issues in Brussels – even if the European Union is far from having a common army. The responsibility for military leadership still lies with the member states. But in a direct interview with journalists in Brussels, Strack-Zimmermann aggressively questioned this situation: “I know, normally this is a question of the nation, but if we don’t react now – when?”
When asked, it becomes even clearer: “There has never been a better time to talk about a European defense union,” emphasizes Strack-Zimmermann. “In view of the threats that want to destroy our system, it is time that we also take a stand in the area of security. I would be happy to take part in that.”
Entry into the European Parliament is realistic
The election campaign event is of course also about political calculation: When the Italian Gozi is asked about the competition in the European elections, he speaks of “fiction candidates.” By this he means Ursula von der Leyen, the top candidate of the European People’s Party (EPP), and the Social Democrat Nicolas Schmit. The leading candidates of the major European parties are campaigning without seeking a mandate in the European Parliament. There is criticism from “Renew Europe” for this: “They are only running for themselves. We are running for the people,” says the Frenchwoman Hayer.
Formally, Strack-Zimmermann, Hayer and Gozi are also the top candidates for the Commission Presidency, but the Liberals are not considered to have any realistic chances of taking office. On the other hand, entering the European Parliament is realistic. Gozi and Hayer currently have a mandate.
Strack-Zimmermann is pushing for speed weapons shipments
In June, Strack-Zimmermann would need just under one percent of the German vote to also enter the European Parliament. Because there is no threshold clause in Germany for the upcoming European elections. The Free Democrats are currently polling between three and six percent for the European elections.
Strack-Zimmermann is currently still a member of the German Bundestag and chairwoman of the Defense Committee. She is one of the loudest critics of German restraint in the context of arms deliveries to Ukraine. Although she sits in a government faction as an FDP MP, she repeatedly publicly calls on the federal government to speed up arms deliveries to Ukraine.