FDP Faces Member Consultation Over Traffic Light Coalition Partnership
With the necessary support gathered, the German Free Democratic Party (FDP) now faces a nationwide member consultation on their continued partnership in the traffic light coalition with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens. Kassel district chairman Matthias Nölke confirmed to the German Press Agency that the required 500 signed petitions had been collected.
The call for a member consultation emerged following an open letter from 26 FDP state and local politicians, criticizing the coalition's performance and suggesting a reconsideration of partners after poor election results in Hesse and Bavaria. The letter demanded that the FDP Federal Executive Board conduct a member survey to determine whether the party should remain in the coalition as soon as possible, following federal constitutional guidelines.
The survey question should ask, "Should the FDP dissolve the coalition with the SPD and Greens within the federal government?" The available answers would be 'yes' and 'no'.
As the FDP is now obligated to conduct a nationwide member consultation on their continuation in the traffic light coalition, the results may shed light on the internal dynamics and polling performance of the party. Significant economic policy differences and internal conflicts have strained relations within the coalition, with the FDP advocating for fiscal responsibility through the 'debt brake' while the SPD and Greens favor increased public spending.
Due to the party's current polling below the 5% threshold needed for parliamentary representation, the FDP's commitment to potential coalitions remains uncertain. A Jamaica Coalition (CDU/CSU, Greens, and FDP) is theoretically possible, though the FDP's reluctance to rejoin a similar arrangement complicates the prospects of a stable alliance.
While the specific results of the nationwide member survey have not been disclosed, the internal dynamics and polling performance of the FDP will undoubtedly shape the party's future coalition decisions.
