The FDP flopped.

First narrowly missing out on re-entry into the Saar Parliament, now in Schleswig-Holstein it has been so severely trimmed that a coalition with the Liberals is only a third choice.

Even brilliantly confirmed, CDU Prime Minister Günther would not have to give a big reason if he would rather govern alone with the strengthened Greens.

FDP boss Lindner is in need of explanation.

He does not see the reason for the slippage in the lack of traction of the liberal offer, but points to the incumbent's charisma and traditionally pronounced voter migration within the black-yellow camp.

The latter also threatens in North Rhine-Westphalia on Sunday.

FDP voters could be tempted to support the less than charismatic CDU incumbent Wüst in order to prevent a transfer of power to the SPD.

Lindner tempts with the argument that only a strong FDP can guarantee “a middle course” in almost every government constellation.

Many complain.

In any case, voters in the north considered the FDP to be more expendable than the CDU and the Greens.

The contribution of the FDP in the traffic light in the federal government does not seem very convincing either.

The liberal Federal Minister of Finance has freedom-conscious voters on his side where there is a lack of money for external security and a reliable energy supply.

But broad consumer aids (keyword tank discount), which the FDP is increasingly speaking up for, are likely to be less favorable to their core clientele.

And an FDP transport minister who is demanding higher and longer subsidies for the purchase of electric cars than the green economics minister is mixing up his role.

The FDP is again a mystery.

What does she stand for?

Anyone can face a crisis with debt-financed subsidies.

More is expected of the FDP: to improve laws that slow down competition and modernization.

Their finance minister is expected to tell the SPD social affairs ministers that the “turning point” also applies to their expensive, often anti-business, plans.

The FDP cannot determine the course of traffic lights and other alliances, but it can correct them.

It still uses this power too little to be able to fulfill the promise of solid finances and stable taxes without transparent tricks.