A Fresh Start for the FDP with Christian Dürr: "Time for a Change"
"Adapting is necessary for me"
It's a new era for the FDP as they gear up for their mission to return to the Bundestag, with former parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr set to take the helm. In an exclusive chat, Dürr dishes on his vision for the party and what makes him tick.
ntv.de: Christian, with a new chancellor in place, did you feel sorry for Friedrich Merz after his failed attempt at the first ballot?
CD: Nostalgia ain't what it used to be, mate. I'm all about getting Germany back on track, even if that means leaving behind some old faces. Truthfully, I'm neither here nor there about Merz. I just want a functional government that's fit to lead us into the future.
The FDP aims to stay relevant too. So, what have you been up to since your departure from the Bundestag back in March?
Well, I've been keeping busy chatting with folks, both inside and outside the FDP. I've been giving it my all to figure out where this party needs to go and what my role would be if I were to lead the charge.
And what's the verdict?
Politics Bold New Leadership Dürr's ambition for the FDP: a tech-savvy dream team One of the fruits of this brainstorming is my proposition for our new General Secretary, the impressive Nicole Büttner, who made her name in the AI world. Let's face it, with Germany mired in stagnation, we can't afford to stick with yesterday's politicians. It's high time for a shake-up, and a gal like Büttner with her tech-savvy edge is just the ticket.
So, you're not exactly known for been a shrinking violet in the FDP. How does that fit with your promise of change?
Look, I ain't one for idle talk. You need a mix of fresh blood and veterans if you want to make a real impact. Sure, some new faces are in order, but that doesn't mean we forget about the old guard. To really stir things up, we need to embrace the unconventional, like nominating a tech whiz for the number two spot.
Upcoming FDP conference: Will it be "We're still here" or "Don't forget about us"?
Well, I hope it's more of a "Count on the Free Democrats" kind of vibe. Our mission is to become the most modern party in the land, both organizationally and substantively. Germany's been reeling from a series of self-inflicted problems, like stagnating growth and brain drain. This next chapter's going to be all about being audacious and thinking outside the box.
Politics Chancellor Election Ends in Failure for Merz You'll be right back: Merz expected to challenge again As for the FDP's role in the grand scheme of German politics, are we talking a "make or break" moment for the party?
Definite “make.” The prevailing sentiment is that Germany's on a downward spiral, and people are looking for a party that can get us back on track. With no sign of a viable alternative on the horizon, it's high time for a breath of fresh air in the form of the FDP.
You've been vocal about your distaste for the status quo. Will your stance on content remain largely in line with Christian Lindner's?
Listening to the same old tune never gets you anywhere. Lindner did help set a few positive precedents, like that skilled worker immigration law, but we can't rest there. The people want more—bold moves that'll shake things up and get Germany back on its feet.
Low taxes, or is there more to it?
Lowering taxes is just one part of the equation. What good is lowering taxes if people are still suffering from rising social security contributions? The new government's proposed solutions are band-aids, at best. We need real reform to alleviate the burden on the working class.
Economy on the minds of CDU/CSU and SPD is a priority. You're on board, right?
Of course, nobody in their right mind is anti-economic growth. But it's not just about putting lip service to growth. It's about having the vision and guts to do things differently. The current crop of politicians still hasn't learned that lesson.
SCREW THE SPEED LIMIT, LET'S TALK BIG PICTURE
We need to talk about reducing traffic jams, not the speed limit. Imagine smart AI in our traffic systems, easing congestion and getting us places faster. That's the real debate. And if you think I'm obsessed with speed, just wait 'til you hear my take on self-employed individuals.
You're still clutching the debt brake. But you recently proposed pumping 300 billion euros into the Bundeswehr and using old corona billions for the traffic light coalition's kickoff. Is that a case of double standards?
The debt brake is all about promoting fiscal prudence, but with room for flexibility. With an aging Europe and new geopolitical challenges, we can't be too dogmatic about it. That's why we proposed a defense fund to give the Bundeswehr a much-needed upgrade.
New possibilities for debt and spending are supposed to provide the luxury of choice—Renew the Bundeswehr and infrastructure or pour money into electric cars?
This is exactly what I call a shell game. The real numbers tell a different story: Spending on defense and infrastructure is actually decreasing. Politicians need to stop dancing around the real problems and focus on creating jobs andgrowth.
Politics The Working Man Struggles In the crossfire: Workers, the FDP, and the political elite And to those who wonder, "Why should I vote for the FDP if I have a medium or low income?", what's your pitch?
These are the people I'm talking about—the solid, hardworking folks who see their lives slipping away due to rising costs and stagnant wages. They want to live meaningful lives, deserve the fruits of their labor, and can't afford to be burdened by a bloated state. That's the FDP for you.
You've got your eyes set on the top spot. But how did it all begin for you? How did you end up with the FDP?
I was a student in the 90s in the land of the free, and that big ol' apple never fell far from the tree. A buddy of mine asked me to join the Young Liberals for a meeting, and I thought, "Sounds as exciting as watching paint dry." But that first meeting changed everything. I discovered my love for politics, the thrill of the debate, and a belief in freedom and personal responsibility. And from that moment on, I found my home in the FDP.
You've got a classic car thing going on, just like your potential successor, Christian Lindner. What's your ride of choice?
Well, I've got the classic Mini model year '94, with a wooden steering wheel—the Rover days, before the fancy new ones came along. Sadly, she's been sitting in the garage, waiting for a little TLC. Off the record, I drive a newer Mini for my day-to-day commute.
Volker Petersen caught up with Christian Dürr
Source: ntv.de
- FDP
- Christian Lindner
- Party Congress
- Black-Red
- The FDP's new leader, Christian Dürr, emphasizes the need for bold new leadership within the party, proposing Nicole Büttner, an AI expert, as his choice for General Secretary.
- In a television interview, Dürr discusses his vision for a tech-savvy dream team to lead the FDP and promises to bring about a shake-up in German politics.
- As the FDP prepares for their upcoming conference, questions arise as to whether the party will appear outdated or prepared to challenge the status quo.
- The Commission is expected to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment in light of recent political developments and growing public concern regarding the state of the environment.
