Members of Germany's Free Democratic Party (FDP) voted on Monday to remain in the governing coalition with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens, despite rising tensions and poor election results.
Approximately 52.24% of the party affiliates voted in favour of continued FDP participation in the coalition government led by Olaf Scholz since late 2021, party sources told French news agency AFP on Monday. The vote saw a 40% turnout rate.
The result was praised by the party leadership. “The reality is clear: the party wants the FDP to continue its involvement in the government (…) The quarrels need to stop,” said Wolfgang Kubicki, the FDP's vice-president.
The consultation, whose result is non-binding, followed an open letter penned by members of the internal opposition after a recent string of disappointing election results.
The party experienced two setbacks in regional elections in October. In the western state of Hesse, it barely exceeded the 5% threshold for representation in Parliament, and it even failed to reach this threshold in Bavaria, in the south.
The coalition is increasingly facing distrust throughout the country, amid an industrial crisis and recession, and as the resurgence of the migration issue benefits the far-right AfD party.
Furthermore, the coalition partners have been hampered by their own disagreements, which have multiplied in recent months, especially over budgetary matters.
