FDP federal board resigns — Christian Dürr will run again
After back-to-back state losses, the FDP's federal board surrendered its mandates and set a May party congress as the reset moment. Dürr says he will seek a fresh mandate and keep Secretary General Nicole Büttner if re‑elected; the party still faces September state votes that could cut its presence to just four state parliaments.
Mar 28, 2026, 1:42 PM EDT
Why it matters:
- The FDP has opened a formal leadership reset after two heavy defeats, forcing a vote on direction and personnel at the federal congress at the end of May. This decision will shape whether the party can stop its electoral slide before a string of risky state elections.
Driving the news:
- The FDP federal board announced it will resign its mandates and submit to election at the federal party congress at the end of May; Christian Dürr said he will stand for re‑election as party chair. - Dürr said he will not give up and intends to keep Generalsecretary Nicole Büttner if re‑elected, arguing the party needs a "new legitimation" for its renewal course.
State of play:
- Dürr offered to face a confidence vote in the federal board but the board declined; instead the entire board agreed to seek new mandates at the congress, with just two votes against. - Internal critics including Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Henning Höne and Junge Liberale leader Finn Flebbe had pushed for personnel change and discussed alternative leadership formats such as a dual chair.
The big picture:
- The resignations follow two damaging state results: the FDP won 4.4% in Baden-Württemberg and 2.1% in Rhineland-Palatinate, costing seats and government posts. - Polling and party analysis show a real risk the FDP will fail the 5% threshold in upcoming state contests, which could leave it represented in only four of 16 state parliaments.
By the numbers:
- 4.4% — FDP vote share in Baden-Württemberg that triggered alarm inside the party. - 2.1% — FDP vote share in Rhineland-Palatinate that cost the party its seats and a role in the state government. - 2 — number of votes against the board's plan to offer its mandates at the congress.
What to watch:
- The federal party congress at the end of May — delegates will decide whether to re‑elect Dürr and Büttner or choose new leadership and direction. - September state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin and Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern — results there will be the next immediate test of whether the FDP can halt or reverse its decline.
The bottom line:
- The FDP has forced a two‑month reckoning: Dürr is betting on a renewed mandate, but the party's short-term survival depends on whether delegates and voters accept that course.