Berlin, 26 June, 2022 – Christian Lindner, the leader of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), has announced his withdrawal from active politics. In a written statement posted on X/Twitter on Sunday evening, Lindner stated, “Now I will step out of active politics.” He expressed gratitude for “almost 25 intense, challenging years of shaping and debate” and added that the Bundestag election had brought a defeat for the FDP, “but hopefully a new start for Germany.”
Lindner took over as the federal chairman of the FDP in December 2013, shortly after the party lost its representation in the Bundestag. He led the party to a return to the Bundestag in the 2017 federal election, with a 10.7% share of the vote and then to an even stronger 11.5% in the 2021 federal election.
According to the high estimates as of Sunday evening, the FDP is currently standing at 4.4 to 4.5% and is likely to have no more chance of clearing the 5% threshold.