Blocking is more important than governing: The FDP is considered the opposition in the traffic light coalition. But the demarcation between the Greens and the SPD does not help their poll numbers. Even successes such as the decision on stock pensions or the Germany ticket have no effect. The Liberals have been languishing at around five percent for months and there is a risk of a relapse into insignificance.
At the same time, Secretary General Bijan Djir-Sarai is openly flirting with the Union. What calculation is behind it? Why does the FDP keep fluctuating between surprise successes and existential fear? And which clientele has it alienated as a governing party?
SPIEGEL editor Christoph Schult reports on the research at the grassroots level: at the place where the FDP was founded in Heppenheim in Hesse or in Erfurt in Thuringia, where the liberal outlaw Thomas Kemmerich is causing trouble. It becomes clear why the FDP has great hopes for the European elections. And what big traffic light fight is coming next.
Listen to the new episode now:
“Sstimmenfang” is SPIEGEL’s political podcast. For everyone who wants to understand Germany better. Marius Mestermann discusses the political topic of the week with his guests. New every Thursday.
Do you have topic suggestions or feedback about our podcast? Speak to our mailbox or send us a voice message via WhatsApp - both on +49 40 38080 400. Or send an email to Stimmefang@spiegel.de.