From 21-23 April, members of ALDE Party member Freie Demokraten – FDP in Germany came together in Berlin for their annual party Congress. During the event, participants heard from party leadership on key topics such as the economy, digitalisation and climate.  

In his remarks, party leader Christian Linder said:  

"We fight for the value of freedom, for economic reason, fair life chances and a modern, not left-wing Germany. The order is not yet fulfilled. We are only at the beginning together.” 

Moreover, on his re-election as party leader with 88% of votes, Lindner emphasised that freedom is remains his guiding principle, both as leader and German Federal Minister of Finance. FDP will continue to stand for growth, freedom and fiscal responsibility, he commented, while tackling Germany’s economic challenges and continuing support for Ukraine against continued Russian aggression.  

You can watch highlights from Lindner’s speech below or on YouTube.  

Delegates also voted on additional members of the party’s leadership team during the Congress. Lindner will be supported in the presidium by Wolfgang Kubicki, Bettina Stark-Watzinger, Johannes Vogel and Bijan Djir-Sarai. Daniela Schmitt joined the committee as an assessor.  

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann was nominated lead candidate for FDP in the upcoming 2024 European elections. Strack-Zimmermann is currently Chair of the Defence Committee in the German Bundestag and a committed European. In her speech to the Congress, she quoted Hans-Dietrich Genscher, stating, "Europe is our future, otherwise we don't have one." She reiterated a call for Europe to the delegates: "Let's fight for this future." 

Ich freue mich sehr, als #Spitzenkandidatin für die #Europawahl 2024 vom Bundesvorstand nominiert worden zu sein und bin dankbar für die Unterstützung der @fdp, die sie mir an diesem Wochenende gegeben hat. Für mich geht ein persönlicher Wunsch in Erfüllung. pic.twitter.com/RgPPCR7p5V

— Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann 🏍️ (@MAStrackZi) April 23, 2023

ALDE Party also participated in the Congress with a stand visited by over 100 delegates, including ALDE Individual Members, MPs, MEPs and other guests, to discuss the work on the ALDE Party Manifesto, human rights campaigns and other key initiatives such as The Alliance Of Her. Ahead of the ALDE Party Congress, FDP elected their party's delegation to the Congress during the weekend.

On the sidelines of the event, ALDE Party Co-President Timmy Dooley met with Individual Members as well as Lindner to exchange on key issues for European liberals.  

#ALDEParty Co-President @timmydooley meets with @c_lindner today at @fdp Congress 🇩🇪🇪🇺 #bpt23 pic.twitter.com/09PWCnDwAa

— ALDE Party (@ALDEParty) April 21, 2023