"Change is necessary for me as well"
Article Rewrite:
The FDP is set to re-enter the Bundestag next week, with a new chairperson set to be elected at their conference in Berlin. All signs point to former parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr. In an exclusive interview, he discusses his plans, his new team, and why he's got two mini cars.
The new federal chancellor has just been elected. Did you feel sorry for Mr. Merz after the failed first ballot?
Christian Dürr: Feeling sorry isn't the point. I want Germany to have a functional government. However, I'm concerned that this government won't be stable because it's not truly united. I believe the MPs realize that their coalition agreement isn't sustainable.
The FDP aims to remain forward-thinking. Since March, you haven’t been in the Bundestag. What have you been up to since then?
I've been talking to people—both inside and outside the FDP. I wanted to understand our future mission and my role as a potential party chair.
And what have you concluded?
The Modern Party Agenda Dürr wants to modernize together with the party's first woman vice chair, Nicole Büttner—a successful AI entrepreneur. Such an unconventional move underscores the need for the FDP to innovate both personnel-wise and in terms of policies. People yearn for change in Germany, and the FDP is no exception.
But you were already a prominent figure in the FDP as parliamentary group leader. How does that fit together?
We need a mix of the familiar and the new. But I also need to evolve. Nominating a startup entrepreneur as general secretary is a bold move, demonstrating our commitment to thinking outside the box. We aim to work more cohesively as a team.
The FDP is coming together next weekend. What message should the party conference send: "We're still here" or "Don't forget us"?
The signal should be clear: Trust the Free Democrats. We aim to become the most forward-thinking party in Germany, both structurally and in terms of content. Germany faces a challenging global situation. People feel that their country is declining, but our problems are homegrown. We're not growing anymore. Young families wonder if they can build a future for their retirement, and 250,000 highly skilled individuals leave Germany every year. There needs to be a party that invents new solutions and fosters fresh ideas.
You haven't differentiated yourself much from long-term chairman Christian Lindner so far. Will it be the same in terms of content now, with the slogan: 2025 was just an accident?
No, we will also renew ourselves in terms of content. I don't judge myself by the need to differentiate from others. When discussing the economy in the past, too few felt it was relevant to their lives. But it is. People feel that things can't go on as they are. Germany needs bold reforms.
So, as always with the FDP: Lower taxes?
Lowering taxes isn't an end in itself. We lowered taxes in the coalition government, but people still didn't see the benefits because social security contributions were on the rise. The new government has no answers for this, none at all.
CDU/CSU and SPD have declared economic growth a priority. That's exactly what you want, right?
We’re all in agreement on that. I can't think of a party that isn't in favor of economic growth. But it's about having the right strategies. Mr. Klingbeil has declared that electricity costs will decrease, but the future plan involves taxpayers subsidizing electricity costs through the budget. Klingbeil is being economical with the truth. That's not a reform strategy; it's a sleight of hand.
A New Energy Policy Dürr wants a different energy strategy, including exploring new forms of nuclear energy and a more sensible migration policy. It should be easier for people to come to Germany to work than to come here not to work.
You've already addressed this issue with the traffic light coalition's skilled workers immigration law and praised it as a significant achievement.
It was a first step and the law is now in effect. However, I can envision far more, and that's where the SPD fell short at the time. I don't see any efforts from the Union or the SPD in this area now.
Back to energy policy: What's wrong with expanding renewable energy?
Over-regulation is the problem. I'm not against renewable energy expansion, but the state must stop micro-managing. If the network expansion continues as planned, it will cost taxpayers or electricity consumers at least half a trillion euros.
But you're not suggesting going back to nuclear power, are you?
We must also be open to new forms of nuclear energy, such as small reactors and nuclear fusion. Germany always offers a long list of reasons why something won't work. I'm not satisfied with that. We must start thinking: It's possible, let's try. The same goes for AI.
Sometimes it seems as if the FDP is mainly concerned with the freedom to speed on the highway.
No, it's not about that. Yes, I think speed limits are a waste of time. But the more interesting debate is how we can significantly reduce traffic congestion. For instance, by implementing more AI in traffic. Let's talk about that. Or consider self-employed individuals. They're overburdened. The idea of freedom is to make something of your own. We're not here to dictate your life, but to create good conditions for everyone. That's why the FDP is also a party of education.
You're still holding onto the debt brake tightly, but you recently proposed 300 billion euros in debt for the Bundeswehr and also wanted to continue using old corona billions for the traffic light coalition's startup. Isn't that a contradiction?
The debt brake forces politics to exercise restraint. However, it's flexible enough to allow for up to 50 billion euros in new debt this year. That's why it's insane to abolish the debt brake, as Schwarz-Rot and Greens are proposing. We're not dogmatic, but we see the new geopolitical challenges. That's why we suggested a defense fund.
The new debt possibilities are intended to provide the freedom to do something: To modernize the Bundeswehr and infrastructure.
This is a form of political deception. In the actual federal budget, spending on defense and infrastructure is decreasing. These new possibilities create space for political wishful thinking. Markus Söder is already celebrating new electric car subsidies. True political reforms require courage. I believe the people are ready to accept reforms, but they don't want cowardice from politicians.
Why should I vote for the FDP if I have a medium or low income?
If you have a medium income, half of your money goes to the state. I can't afford to build a house or buy an apartment because my prosperity is declining. That's exactly who we're fighting for. They work hard, but don't want to be subsidized by the state. They want more freedom. Are we living in an era where there are too few social services? Our problem isn't a lack of services; it's that performance isn't rewarded enough.
You can assume that you will be elected as party chairman. It would be the highlight of your career. But how did it all begin? How did you come to the FDP?
I was a student in the 90s in the United States and returned home excited. A friend invited me to the Young Liberals, and I went despite not being interested in clubs. At that meeting, I discovered my interest in politics, the quest for the best way, and the debate. As a student, I didn't even know there was a party that focused on freedom and personal responsibility. I found my place in the FDP.
Mr. Lindner is an old-timer car fan, drives an old Porsche. What do you drive?
I have an old Mini in the garage, model year 94, with a wooden steering wheel. It's from Rover, before the new models. Unfortunately, it's broken down and needs repairs. Privately, I also drive a newer Mini.
Interview by Volker Petersen
Sources: ntv.de
- FDP
- Christian Lindner
- Party Congress
- Black-Red
- The Commission, in response to requests, has submitted a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment in the parliamentary arena.
- In the realm of general news, the FDP, led by potential chairperson Christian Dürr, is aiming to renew its trendbarometer in politics by embracing innovation, both in personnel and policies.
- Christian Dürr, the CDU's opposition in the parliament, has emphasized the need for Germany to focus on growth and job creation in political discussions.
- As a senior member within the FDP, Klingbeil plays a key role in shaping the party's stance on climate policy and energy management, considering the push for a directive on environment protection.
