Election defeats in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate have sparked a leadership debate in the FDP over replacing party leader Christian Dürr. Youth wing and regional politicians demand change. Five potential successors are in discussion.
The FDP, after the federal election defeat and exit from the Baden-Württemberg state parliament in early March, also failed to re-enter the Rhineland-Palatinate state parliament. Polls had listed Liberals as 'Others' for months. Government work in Mainz's traffic-light coalition failed to convince voters, despite more constructive cooperation than federally. Poor national trend and SPD-CDU duel contributed; FDP support in Rhineland-Palatinate was always weaker than in Baden-Württemberg, where it also failed. FDP General Secretary Nicole Büttner said on election night: 'It is up to us to raise our voice more clearly, strongly and passionately.' After Baden-Württemberg, Young Liberals (Julis) demanded Dürr's replacement, saying he shows no idea for revival. North Rhine-Westphalia voices like state chair Henning Höne and MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann called for his resignation. Berlin state chair Christoph Meyer stated: 'In the current constellation, it cannot continue.' Julis aim to push for new board election at May party congress in Monday meetings, but Dürr can stay if he wishes; statutes allow no removal. Potential successors: 1. Henning Höne (39, NRW state chair, deputy leader) with state parliament platform and fresh start image. 2. Wolfgang Kubicki (74, Schleswig-Holstein, deputy leader), known for sharp rhetoric, market-liberal. 3. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (68, MEP, defense expert). 4. Kubicki-Strack-Zimmermann duo, despite conflict potential. 5. Younger figures like Konstantin Kuhle (37), Johannes Vogel (43) and Florian Toncar (46), who have new jobs. A second source highlights FDP comeback chances despite defeats, quoting Guido Westerwelle: 'There are two institutions with resurrection experience: the Christian church and the FDP.'
