The FDP in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern adopted its education election program at a state party congress in Banzkow near Schwerin for the state election on September 20. It calls for returning to the three-tier school system with Haupt- and Realschule and abolishing the Regionale Schule. Federal chairman Christian Dürr urged a radical alternative to the 'business as usual' approach.
At a state party congress in Banzkow near Schwerin, the FDP Mecklenburg-Vorpommern adopted its education election program for the state election on September 20 after a five-hour debate, with more parts to follow on Sunday. Key elements include reintroducing Haupt- and Realschule and abolishing the Regionale Schule introduced in 2002. The party supports keeping Förderschulen and ending confessional religious education in favor of neutral instruction on all religions. «Als Ersatz könnte ein neutraler Fachunterricht über alle Religionen treten», the program states. Federal chairman Christian Dürr opened via video, stating: «Ja, es sind harte Zeiten für die FDP und für Deutschland.» He lamented lost jobs and the fading dream of advancement through personal effort. «Wir müssen der radikale Gegenentwurf zu Weiter so sein», he demanded. Dürr advocated a strong state in education: Language development should be tested two years before school entry to ensure only children proficient in German are enrolled. The state should otherwise stay out of personal life choices. On immigration, he said: «Es muss leichter sein, nach Deutschland zu kommen, um zu arbeiten, als nach Deutschland zu kommen, um nicht zu arbeiten.» A urgency motion calls for re-electing the federal executive at the federal congress in May. Top candidate Jakob Schirmer emphasized freedom: «Die Freiheit wird mit unserer Partei verbunden.» The FDP fears missing the state parliament threshold, with polls below five percent. Schwerin city councilor Paul Bressel announced his exit during the congress, citing the party's drift from liberal roots.
