The youth wing of the FDP, the “Young Liberals” (JuLis), intends to thoroughly examine the candidates for the party chairmanship. Finn Flebbe, head of the JuLis, told the dts news agency that these candidates will be invited to a “hearing” during the federal congress taking place in Bingen from May 8th to 10th.
Furthermore, the potential general secretaries are also expected to present themselves there. Flebbe stated, “Our members should be given the opportunity to experience the applicants directly, question them critically, and form their own opinion”.
The JuLis chief welcomed the genuine competition within the FDP at this time, arguing that a party that believes in freedom and achievement must also be able to accommodate and showcase diverse minds and concepts.
Regarding his own candidacy for the FDP chairmanship, he indicated that he does not intend to run for the top leadership role. However, he plans to run for a position on the federal executive committee at the party convention at the end of May. He made it clear that his ambitions are focused elsewhere: “My claim for a chairmanship position is clear: My place is at the helm of the Young Liberals”.
While there is a rivalry among the already known contenders for the FDP chairmanship-the 74-year-old party veteran Wolfgang Kubicki and the 39-year-old North Rhine-Westphalia state leader Henning Höne-the JuLis head avoided taking a definitive side. Nevertheless, he made suggestions that shouldn’t necessarily be interpreted as an endorsement of Höne. To the dts news agency, Flebbe commented, “A real fresh start for the FDP will only be possible if young, new faces take on responsibility and credibly embody this relaunch. Both I and the Young Liberals are ready and available for that”.