How the FDP is fighting for political survival - FDP Fights for Survival in 2026 Baden-Württemberg Election
The FDP in Baden-Württemberg braces for a critical state election in 2026, facing the possibility of losing their seats in the state parliament for the first time in history. The party's survival hinges on a strong campaign led by veteran politician Hans-Ulrich Rülke, with radical proposals aimed at attracting voters and securing their future.
The FDP's core themes revolve around the economy and deregulation. They plan to introduce a radical administrative reform and suspend reporting and documentation requirements for small companies. The upcoming Landtagswahl is particularly significant as it could mark the first time the FDP fails to reach the 5% threshold in their stronghold, Baden-Württemberg.
Current polls place the FDP at around 5 percent, with the Left party potentially entering the state parliament for the first time. This represents a significant drop from the 10.5 percent the FDP received in the 2021 state election, which has since halved due to the collapse of the traffic light coalition in Berlin. To secure their survival, the FDP has crafted a new election program focused on reducing bureaucracy, strengthening the economy, and securing education.
If the FDP fails to secure seats in the 2026 state election, the future of the state association and Hans-Ulrich Rülke's political career hang in the balance. The FDP aims to prevent any radicals from governing in Baden-Württemberg and is open to forming a coalition with the Greens, CDU, or SPD to achieve this. Their proposed policies include scaling back privacy protection, repealing the state building code, and preserving the segmented school system.
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