NINE MONTHS after a spectacular election win, a shaken and shrunken Free Democratic Party (FDP) has admitted making a mess of its first nine months in power with Chancellor Angela Merkel.
After a two-day think-in, party leader Guido Westerwelle said errors in policy and tone had contributed to the party’s spectacular slippage to just 5 per cent support, from almost 15 per cent on election night last September.
“We have been at odds, too often and too deeply. What has to change is the style of debate,” said Mr Westerwelle, known for his abrasive public tone. “We must win back trust. That is true of everyone, myself included.”
Despite the talk of new beginnings, Mr Westerwelle said he would not allow the party alter its neo-liberal profile. “We Free Democrats are making a new start, but we are sticking to our themes and to our course,” he said.
The only problem with this strategy is that, after less than a year in power, most of the FDP’s ambitions are already off the cabinet table. Their government partners, Dr Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) have, in light of record borrowing this year, ruled out income tax cuts for the foreseeable future.
That is the specific promise that led the FDP to victory last September. Likewise other party reform plans – to simplify the tax system and to overhaul the indebted health system – have also been put on ice due to coalition conflict. Party watchers suggest the FDP’s main problem is that Mr Westerwelle’s dominant role in the party has left little room for fresh talent or fresh ideas to emerge.
Ahead of the two-day think-in, nameless FDP members suggested he was overwhelmed as foreign minister and should relinquish his position as party leader. Mr Westerwelle said it was not raised in the two-day event.
In the absence of an open challenger to his leadership, at least not for the present, Mr Westerwelle announced plans to replace the 13-year-old party programme with a new document accentuating FDP positions on civil rights, education and environmental protection.
The FDP leadership are optimistic the think-in has ironed out growing tension in the party and will keep MPs on side ahead of Wednesday’s crucial presidential vote.
Speculation grew last week that frustrated FDP members of the special two-house parliamentary assembly will use the secret ballot as a vote of no-confidence in the government.