Christian Dürr, the leader of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), and the party’s entire board stepped down following the recent election results. They intend to run again in the forthcoming federal convention scheduled for May. “I don’t plan to give up” Dürr told reporters in a press conference on Monday.
He had proposed that the federal board present a confidence question. “That was not something the board wanted. After my suggestion, the entire FDP leadership and the federal board assumed responsibility” he explained.
Dürr said he has come forward to renew the party. “I will put this direction, along with myself, to the ballot at the federal convention” he added. Former party secretary‑general Nicole Büttner noted that a new election would provide a clear decision about the party’s future.
In the state election in Rhineland‑Palatinate on Sunday, the FDP lost 3.4 percentage points, falling to just 2.1 % of the vote. With that share it will not secure representation in either the state parliament or the state government.
Earlier in March, the FDP had slipped 6.1 percentage points in the Baden‑Württemberg state election compared to 2021, achieving only 4.4 % and again missing the five‑percent hurdle. Consequently, the party now holds seats in only six state parliaments.
Dürr was elected FDP chairman on 16 May 2025, after the party failed to enter the Bundestag in the 2025 federal election and Christian Lindner resigned from the post. During the preceding legislative term, Dürr had served as chairman of the FDP’s Bundestag group.