From 12 to 13 May FDP held their 69th party Congress in Berlin, Germany, under the theme "Taking opportunities, shaping change - for a Germany of innovation." FDP believes that Germany should once again take big steps towards technology and the future in order to secure growth and prosperity.

FDP leader Christian Lindner used this first opportunity to address the Congress since the return of FDP in the Bundestag to show a determined position. He claimed the FDP's role to modernise the country: "We want to be the future laboratory of German politics."

"We want a Germany of innovation, we know that there are risks, but we also know that we can handle the risks, as there are many opportunities. Let's get started and take as many people as possible along the way," explained FDP Secretary General Nicola Beer.

"Let us shape the change for a Germany of innovation!" she concluded.

FDP's Vice President Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann said in her opening speech: "We did not fight back to set up a wellness oasis for others. We could have ruled for the sake of governing, yes, but we could not have made Germany fit for the future with these partners."

You can read FDP's report about the Congress in German here.

Das war der 69. Ordentliche Bundesparteitag der Freien Demokraten! Wir wünschen einen schönen Sonntag und eine gute Heimreise. #bpt18 #InnovationNation pic.twitter.com/d377DP2Pyw

— FDP (@fdp) May 13, 2018