FDP faced with a dilemma: What options does the party have?

FDP faced with a dilemma: What options does the party have?

The FDP faces important decisions as its federal party conference takes place this weekend. Speculation about a possible end to the traffic light coalition was triggered by the FDP's call for an “economic turnaround”. But what options does the party actually have? Experts like Christian Rusche from the German Economic Institute point out that political parties act similarly to players in game theory and have to take reactions from competitors and voters into account. Through clever tactics, they can strengthen their bargaining power in coalition negotiations, as was the case with previous political decisions.

Historical events such as the departure of the FDP from the social-liberal government in 1982 or the well-known “Lambsdorff paper” show how economic policy demands can lead to political upheavals. The FDP's current demands for corrections to citizens' money and the abolition of the "pension at 63" have raised fears about the fate of the traffic light coalition. However, experts such as Professor Marc Debus urge caution and emphasize that the FDP's exit from the coalition may pose political risks.

The FDP finds itself in a dilemma as it finds itself between the pressure of its supporters and the strategic decision to stay in the traffic lights. Despite the coalition's unpopularity among its own supporters, remaining in the traffic lights could be the best alternative for the party. The FDP must set programmatic priorities and focus on issues such as economic and social policy in order to distinguish itself within the coalition and gain potential advantages until the 2025 federal election.