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The '''Free Democratic Party''' ({{lang-de|Freie Demokratische Partei}}), abbreviated to '''FDP''', is a [[centre-right]] [[Classical liberalism|classical liberal]] [[political party]] in [[Germany]].<ref name="The Länder and German federalism">{{Cite book|title=The Länder and German federalism |last=Gunlicks |first=Arthur B. |year=2003 |publisher=Manchester University Press |location=Manchester |isbn=9780719065330 |page=268 }}</ref><ref name="Encyclopedia of the Cold War">{{Cite book|title=Encyclopedia of the Cold War, Volume 1 |last=van Dijk |first=Ruud |year=2008 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |location=London |isbn=9780415975155 |page=541 }}</ref><ref name="Germany: Phoenix in trouble?">{{Cite book|title=Germany: Phoenix in trouble? |last=Zimmer |first=Matthias |year=1997 |publisher=University of Alberta |location=Edmonton |isbn=9780888643056 |page=114 }}</ref> It is led by [[Guido Westerwelle]] and currently serves as the junior coalition partner to the [[CDU/CSU|Union]] ([[Christian Democratic Union (Germany)|Christian Democratic Union]] and [[Christian Social Union of Bavaria|Christian Social Union]]) in the German federal government. The FDP fraction has 93 members and is currently the third largest in the [[Bundestag]].
The '''Free Democratic Party''' ({{lang-de|Freie Demokratische Partei}}), abbreviated to '''FDP''', is a [[centre-right]] [[Classical liberalism|classical liberal]] [[political party]] in [[Germany]].<ref name="The Länder and German federalism">{{Cite book|title=The Länder and German federalism |last=Gunlicks |first=Arthur B. |year=2003 |publisher=Manchester University Press |location=Manchester |isbn=9780719065330 |page=268 }}</ref><ref name="Encyclopedia of the Cold War">{{Cite book|title=Encyclopedia of the Cold War, Volume 1 |last=van Dijk |first=Ruud |year=2008 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |location=London |isbn=9780415975155 |page=541 }}</ref><ref name="Germany: Phoenix in trouble?">{{Cite book|title=Germany: Phoenix in trouble? |last=Zimmer |first=Matthias |year=1997 |publisher=University of Alberta |location=Edmonton |isbn=9780888643056 |page=114 }}</ref> It is led by [[Philipp Rösler]] and currently serves as the junior coalition partner to the [[CDU/CSU|Union]] ([[Christian Democratic Union (Germany)|Christian Democratic Union]] and [[Christian Social Union of Bavaria|Christian Social Union]]) in the German federal government. The FDP fraction has 93 members and is currently the third largest in the [[Bundestag]].


It was founded in 1948 by members of the former liberal parties existing in Germany before World War II, the [[German Democratic Party]] and the [[German People's Party]]. Since then, the FDP has been in federal government longer than any other party, as the junior coalition partner to either the CDU/CSU (1949–56, 1961–66, 1982–98, and since 2009) or the [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democratic Party]] (1969–82).
It was founded in 1948 by members of the former liberal parties existing in Germany before World War II, the [[German Democratic Party]] and the [[German People's Party]]. Since then, the FDP has been in federal government longer than any other party, as the junior coalition partner to either the CDU/CSU (1949–56, 1961–66, 1982–98, and since 2009) or the [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democratic Party]] (1969–82).

Revision as of 14:42, 16 May 2011

Free Democratic Party
Freie Demokratische Partei
LeaderPhilipp Rösler
Founded11 December 1948
HeadquartersThomas-Dehler-Haus
Reinhardtstraße 14
10117 Berlin
Youth wingYoung Liberals
FoundationFriedrich Naumann Foundation
IdeologyLiberalism
Internal factions:
 · Economic liberalism [1]
 · Social liberalism[2]
 · Classical liberalism [3]
Political positionCentre-right[4][5]
European affiliationEuropean Liberal Democrat and Reform Party
European Parliament groupAlliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
International affiliationLiberal International
ColoursYellow and blue
Bundestag
93 / 622
Regional Parliaments
165 / 1,859
European Parliament
12 / 99
Website
http://www.liberale.de

The Free Democratic Party (German: Freie Demokratische Partei), abbreviated to FDP, is a centre-right classical liberal political party in Germany.[6][7][8] It is led by Philipp Rösler and currently serves as the junior coalition partner to the Union (Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union) in the German federal government. The FDP fraction has 93 members and is currently the third largest in the Bundestag.

It was founded in 1948 by members of the former liberal parties existing in Germany before World War II, the German Democratic Party and the German People's Party. Since then, the FDP has been in federal government longer than any other party, as the junior coalition partner to either the CDU/CSU (1949–56, 1961–66, 1982–98, and since 2009) or the Social Democratic Party (1969–82).

The FDP strongly supports human rights, civil liberties, and internationalism, but has shifted from the centre to the centre-right over time. Since the 1980s, the party has firmly pushed economic liberalism, and has aligned itself closely to the promotion of free markets and privatisation. It is a member of the Liberal International and European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party, and is the joint-largest member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe group in the European Parliament.

History

Walter Scheel served as Foreign Minister, Vice Chancellor, Acting Chancellor and President of Germany

The FDP was founded on 11 December 1948 through the merger of nine regional liberal parties formed in 1945 from the remnants of the pre-1933 German People's Party (DVP) and the German Democratic Party (DDP), which had been active in the Weimar Republic.[Note 1] The FDP's first Chairman, Theodor Heuss, was formerly a member of the DDP and after the war of the Democratic People's Party (DVP).

In all federal election campaigns since the 1980s, the party sided with the CDU and CSU, the main conservative parties in Germany. An exception to the party policy was made in the 2002 campaign, in which it adopted a position of "equidistance" to the CDU and SPD. Following German reunification in 1990, the FDP merged with the Association of Free Democrats, a grouping of liberals from East Germany and the Liberal Democratic Party of Germany. During the 1990s, the FDP won between 6.2 and 11 percent of the vote in Bundestag elections. It last participated in the federal government by representing the junior partner in the government of Chancellor Helmut Kohl of the CDU.

2005 federal election

In the 2005 general election the party won 9.8 percent of the vote and 61 federal deputies, an unpredicted improvement from prior opinion polls. It is believed that this was partly due to tactical voting by CD and Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CSU) alliance supporters who hoped for stronger market-oriented economic reforms than the CDU/CSU alliance called for. However, because the CDU did worse than predicted, the FDP and the CDU/CSU alliance were unable to form a coalition government. At other times, for example after the 2002 federal election, a coalition between the FDP and CDU/CSU was impossible primarily because of the weak results of the FDP.

The CDU/CSU parties had achieved the 3rd worst performance in German postwar history with only 35.2 percent of the votes. Therefore, the FDP wasn't able to form a coalition with its preferred partners, the CDU/CSU parties. As a result, the party was considered as a potential member of two other political coalitions, following the election. One possibility was a partnership between the FDP, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and the Alliance 90/The Greens, known as a "traffic light coalition", named after the colors of the three parties. This coalition was ruled out, because the FDP considered the Social Democrats and the Greens insufficiently committed to market-oriented economic reform. The other possibility was a CDU-FDP-Green coalition, known as a "Jamaica coalition" because of the colours of the three parties. This coalition wasn't concluded either, since the Greens ruled out participation in any coalition with the CDU/CSU. Instead, the CDU formed a Grand coalition with the SPD, and the FDP entered the opposition. FDP leader Guido Westerwelle became the unofficial leader of the opposition by virtue of the FDP's position as the largest opposition party in the Bundestag.

Guido Westerwelle, Chairman of FDP

2009 federal election

In the national vote on September 27, 2009 the FDP increased its share of the vote by 4.8% to 14.6%, an all-time record so far. This percentage was enough to offset a decline in the CDU/CSU's vote compared to 2005, to create a CDU-FDP governing coalition in the Bundestag with a 53% majority of seats. On election night party leader Westerwelle said his party would work to ensure that civil liberties were respected and that Germany got an "equitable tax system and better education opportunities."[9]

The party also made gains in the two state elections held at the same time, acquiring sufficient seats for a CDU-FDP coalition in the northernmost state, Schleswig-Holstein and gaining enough votes in left leaning Brandenburg to clear the 5% hurdle to enter that state's parliament.

Policies

The FDP adheres to a classical liberal ideology,[6][7][8][10] advocating liberalism in both the economic sphere and social sphere.[11] The current guidelines of the FDP are enshrined in the principles of Wiesbaden. A key objective of the FDP is the "strengthening of freedom and individual responsibility".

Economic policy

The FDP espouses the most economic liberal ideas of the parties represented in the German federal parliament.[citation needed] The main goal is the creation of jobs by creating incentives for private investments.[citation needed] This shall be achieved, among other measures, through reduced bureaucracy, privatisation, deregulation, through removal of subsidies, and reform of collective bargaining.[citation needed] The national debt shall be reduced.[citation needed] The party supports globalisation.[citation needed]

In the tax policy a simple tax code is called for.[citation needed] The party supports a bracket income tax system, as opposed to the current 'linear' system, and, in the long-term a flat tax.[citation needed] Through tax cuts, the purchasing power of employees will be increased and the economy will be stimulated.[citation needed]

In social policy, the FDP aims for the introduction of a citizen's dividend (Bürgergeld), which collects all the tax-financed social welfare and social security funds of the state.[citation needed] The social security funds should be supplemented through privately-funded schemes.[citation needed]

In energy policy, the FDP calls for a combination of nuclear, coal, oil and gas and renewable energy for electricity production.[citation needed] The phasing out of nuclear power is seen critically by the FDP.[citation needed]

Social policy

The common view in the party is a critical attitude towards the state and to conservative and egalitarian social policies.[citation needed] Under the slogan "As much government as necessary, as little government as possible," the FDP tries to limit the state involvement in the life of the individual as far as possible.[citation needed] The unifying stance for them is the idea of "creating and maintaining the freedom of individuals". Thus the party supported nearly all social liberalizations that have been implemented in the federal republic.[citation needed]

Throughout its history, the FDP's policies have shifted between emphasis on social liberalism and economic liberalism. Since the 1980s, the FDP has maintained a consistent pro-business stance.[citation needed] The FDP supports strong competition laws and a minimum standard of welfare protection for every citizen.[citation needed] In addition, the FDP endorses to complement the social welfare and health care systems with laws that would require every employed citizen to invest in a private social security account.[citation needed]

The FDP supports gay rights; party leader Guido Westerwelle is openly gay.[citation needed]

Domestic policy

The FDP traditionally declines laws which it considers restrictions of fundamental rights.[citation needed] The party is opposed to wiretapping, although the FDP originally supported 'Großer Lauschangriff'. It also rejects data retention in the phone and internet.[citation needed] The FDP is opposed to a tightening of the penal code, and instead supports for the recruitment of more police officers, judges, and prosecutors to improve security and speed up trials. In addition, improved rehabilitation is called for, especially for young offenders.[citation needed]

One objective of the FDP is the promotion of pre-school education.[citation needed] There shall be mandatory language tests at the age of four to detect linguistic weaknesses of children with immigrant backgrounds and train them in time for school.[citation needed] Half-day childcare shall be free, in accordance with the legal right to a kindergarten place, from the third year of life and school enrolment. Language teaching shall constitute an integral part of the curriculum from grade one onwards.[citation needed]

The FDP calls for the establishment of full-day schools and the high school diploma after twelve years of schooling.[citation needed] In addition, the Liberals are opposed to all-day schools, because they believe that those schools are not performance-oriented enough and individual student support is not sufficiently guaranteed.[citation needed] The FDP supports tuition fees to fund the universities. It also calls for the abolition of laws and regulations to improve research conditions. The FDP opposed the 1996 spelling reform; as a result, their election manifestos are written in the previously conventional spelling.[citation needed]

Foreign policy

The FDP describes itself as the pro-European party, although the minority national liberal faction is soft eurosceptic.[12] The FDP wants a politically-integrated EU with a Common Foreign and Security Policy, but supported a referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon. The FDP advocates the accession of Turkey to the EU, although this would require Turkey to fulfil all criteria.[citation needed]

Federal election results

Below are charts of the results that the Free Democratic Party has secured in each election to the federal Bundestag. Timelines showing the number of seats and percentage of party list votes won are on the right.

Template:Multicol

Year Vote % Seats Place[Note 2]
1949 11.9 52 3rd
1953 9.5 48 3rd
1957 7.7 41 3rd
1961 12.8 67 3rd
1965 9.5 49 3rd
1969 5.8 30 3rd
1972 8.4 41 3rd
1976 7.9 39 3rd
1980 10.6 53 3rd
1983 6.9 34 3rd
1987 9.1 46 3rd
1990 11.0 79 3rd
1994 6.9 47 4th
1998 6.2 43 4th
2002 7.4 47 4th
2005 9.8 61 3rd
2009 14.6 93 3rd

Template:Multicol-break

Template:Multicol-end

Leadership

Hans-Dietrich Genscher served almost continuously as Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor from 1974 to 1992.

Party chairmen

Leader From To
1st Theodor Heuss 1948 1949
2nd Franz Blücher 1949 7 March 1954
3rd Thomas Dehler 7 March 1954 24 January 1957
4th Reinhold Maier 24 January 1957 29 January 1960
5th Erich Mende 29 January 1960 29 January 1968
6th Walter Scheel 29 January 1968 1 October 1974
7th Hans-Dietrich Genscher 1 October 1974 23 February 1985
8th Martin Bangemann 23 February 1985 9 October 1988
9th Otto Graf Lambsdorff 9 October 1988 11 June 1993
10th Klaus Kinkel 11 June 1993 10 June 1995
11th Wolfgang Gerhardt 10 June 1995 4 May 2001
12th Guido Westerwelle 4 May 2001 Present day

Leaders in the Bundestag

Leader From To
1st Theodor Heuss 1949 12 September 1949
2nd Hermann Schäfer 12 September 1949 10 January 1951
3rd August-Martin Euler 10 January 1951 6 May 1952
4th Hermann Schäfer 6 May 1952 20 October 1953
5th Thomas Dehler 20 October 1953 8 January 1957
6th Max Becker 8 January 1957 November 1957
7th Erich Mende November 1957 22 October 1963
8th Knut von Kühlmann-Stumm 22 October 1963 23 January 1968
9th Wolfgang Mischnick 23 January 1968 15 January 1991
10th Hermann Otto Solms 15 January 1991 26 October 1998
11th Wolfgang Gerhardt 5 October 1998 30 April 2006
12th Guido Westerwelle 30 April 2006 25 October 2009
13th Birgit Homburger 25 October 2009 Present day

See also

Notes

  1. ^ These nine regionally organised liberal parties were the Bremian Democratic People's Party (BDV) in the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, the Democratic Party of Southern and Middle Baden (DemP) in the State of South Baden, the Democratic Party (DP) in the State of Rhineland-Palatinate, the Democratic People's Party of Northern Württemberg-Northern Baden (DVP) in the State of Württemberg-Baden, the Democratic People's Party of Southern Württemberg-Hohenzollern (DVP) in the State of Württemberg-Hohenzollern, the united Free Democratic Party (F.D.P.) of the British zone of occupation, the Free Democratic Party (F.D.P.) in the Free State of Bavaria, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the State of Hesse, and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Berlin (West). Cf. Almut Leh and Alexander von Plato, Ein unglaublicher Frühling: erfahrene Geschichte im Nachkriegsdeutschland 1945 - 1948, Bundeszentrale für Politische Bildung (ed.), Bonn: Bundeszentrale für Politische Bildung, 1997, p. 77. ISBN 3-89331-298-6
  2. ^ Counts Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union together for purposes of comparison.

Footnotes

  1. ^ {{Cite news|titel= Unterschiedliche Strömungen in der FDP | newspaper=nachrichten.de | date=6 April 2011 | url=http://www.nachrichten.de/panorama/HINTERGRUND-Unterschiedliche-Stroemungen-in-der-FDP-aid_CNG.ba4a108b8bbdedd05a8e9a338e436acf.171.html
  2. ^ Wiener Zeitung. 31 March 2011 http://www.wienerzeitung.at/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3862&Alias=wzo&cob=552963. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |titel= ignored (|title= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ {{Cite news|titel= Unterschiedliche Strömungen in der FDP | newspaper=nachrichten.de | date=6 April 2011 | url=http://www.nachrichten.de/panorama/HINTERGRUND-Unterschiedliche-Stroemungen-in-der-FDP-aid_CNG.ba4a108b8bbdedd05a8e9a338e436acf.171.html
  4. ^ Dymond, Johnny (27 September 2009). "Merkel heading for new coalition". BBC News.
  5. ^ Peel, Quentin (9 May 2010). "Germans take weeks over coalition pacts". Financial Times.
  6. ^ a b Gunlicks, Arthur B. (2003). The Länder and German federalism. Manchester: Manchester University Press. p. 268. ISBN 9780719065330.
  7. ^ a b van Dijk, Ruud (2008). Encyclopedia of the Cold War, Volume 1. London: Taylor & Francis. p. 541. ISBN 9780415975155.
  8. ^ a b Zimmer, Matthias (1997). Germany: Phoenix in trouble?. Edmonton: University of Alberta. p. 114. ISBN 9780888643056.
  9. ^ Merkel to head new center-right government Deutsche Welle 27 September 2009.
  10. ^ Kommers, Donald P. (1997). The Constitutional Jurisprudence of the Federal Republic of Germany. Durham: Duke University Press. p. 31. ISBN 9780822318385.
  11. ^ Kesselman, Mark (1997). European Politics in Transition. Durham: D.C. Heath. p. 247. ISBN 9780669244434.
  12. ^ Taggart, Paul; Szczerbiak, Aleks. "The Party Politics of Euroscepticism in EU Member and Candidate States" (PDF). SEI Working Paper. 51. Sussex European Institute: 11. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

References

Template:Link GA

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