In a swift response, the Free Democratic Party’s (FDP) faction leader, Christian Dürr, has reacted to CDU leader Friedrich Merz’s attack, who had advocated for voting for the Union instead of the FDP. “Friedrich Merz’s advances against Mr. Habeck are becoming increasingly open” Dürr told the Funke Media Group’s newspapers (Friday editions).
Union chancellor candidate Merz had said in an interview that a vote for the FDP at the federal election would ultimately be a waste. “Four percent are four percent too much for the FDP and four percent too little for the Union” the CDU leader said. Voters should consider whether their votes for the FDP would ultimately be lost.
The FDP is currently polling around four percent in several surveys, but five percent are needed for a seat in the Bundestag. Dürr countered that, with Black-Green, Germany would not get a political change, but would instead lose more important years. “One or two percentage points more for the Union change nothing – only a strong FDP brings the change we need” he said. Those who want to prevent Robert Habeck from becoming economy minister again must now support the FDP.