From 16-17 May, the Free Democratic Party (FDP), ALDE Party member in Germany, held its 76th Congress in Berlin, an event that marked both a political turning point and a moment of liberal renewal.
Delegates elected Christian Dürr as the new Party Chair with 82% of the vote, succeeding Christian Lindner, who stepped down after more than a decade at the helm. Dürr pledged to steer the party with clarity and courage, vowing to maintain the liberal course and proposing a new foundational programme titled "Freiheit konkret" (Freedom, concretely).
“This is not just any congress. It is a fresh start – and an invitation,” said Dürr in his acceptance speech. “We are not here to explain the past. We are here to shape the future.”
During the Congress, ALDE Party President Svenja Hahn MEP was elected FDP Vice-President, alongside Henning Höne and Wolfgang Kubicki. Hahn emphasised the need for bold, liberal answers to Europe’s most urgent challenges and reaffirmed her commitment to building bridges between German and European liberalism.
Also elected to the party’s new leadership team was Nicole Büttner as Secretary General. Büttner, an entrepreneur specialising in artificial intelligence, brings a strong innovation and future-focused profile to the FDP’s new leadership.
In his keynote address, Dürr identified freedom of expression, economic competitiveness, and migration reform as key priorities. He warned against growing political fragmentation and called for unity in defending liberal values, invoking the legacy of FDP founding leader Theodor Heuss.
“Germany is stuck. The middle class is under pressure. Young people are losing faith in opportunity,” Dürr concluded. “This country needs a new liberal force with the courage to lead – not just to govern.”
On the sidelines of the congress, ALDE Party engaged with attendees through an exhibition stand, further strengthening the bonds between German and European liberals.
As the FDP moves forward with a renewed team and vision, the message from Berlin was clear: liberalism remains a driving force in shaping Germany’s – and Europe’s – future.
Photo: FDP