Designation of Fresh FDP Secretary-General
In Berlin, Volker Wissing was elected as the new General Secretary of the FDP during a party conference on Saturday. Wissing received 82.8% of the votes, superseding his predecessor, Linda Teuteberg, who previously secured 92.8%. Rhineland-Palatinate Minister of Economics Wissing replaces Teuteberg at the request of FDP leader Christian Lindner.
In his introductory speech, Wissing conveyed his approach as an economist, stating, "An economic crisis is the most foolish time to further expand the state." The FDP is currently grappling with the 5% electoral threshold in polls, aiming to retain its seat in the Bundestag next year. Lindner confirmed at the conference that he intends to assume government responsibility, underscoring his belief that the FDP must regain strength to exert political influence.
Notably, Lindner's farewell to Teuteberg generated attention on social media with a light-hearted, yet slightly misfired joke. Lindner described their collaboration as lasting for approximately 300 days, including a phone call initiation, stating, "not what you're thinking now."
Volker Wissing, a seasoned German lawyer and politician, has demonstrated an interest in economic and infrastructure matters throughout his political career. He has advocated for substantial investment in infrastructure, particularly addressing the urgent renovation of about 4,000 bridges[3]. Wissing's political leanings suggest a pragmatic approach aimed at addressing Germany's economic challenges through strategic investments, particularly in infrastructure[1][3].
In reference to Volker Wissing's pragmatic approach, there might be shifts in the FDP's policy-and-legislation, particularly focusing on infrastructure and economic recovery, as he takes over as General Secretary. During his tenure, Wissing is expected to advocate for other policies that align with his long-standing interest in these areas. On the other hand, the FDP's current political climate, characterized by its efforts to surpass the 5% electoral threshold, may influence these policy decisions, given the party's aim to retain its seat in the Bundestag next year. General news outlets and political pundits might focus on the impact of Wissing's leadership on the FDP's stance in matters of policy-and-legislation.
