Green Party leaders redefine liberalism as Germany's FDP struggles in polls

The Green Party's co-leaders, Franziska Brantner and Belit Onay, have argued that liberalism is struggling but far from finished. In a guest article for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, they outlined their vision for reviving its core principles. Their comments come as Germany's traditional liberal party, the FDP, faces steep electoral declines across federal and state polls.

Brantner and Onay insist that freedom and equality remain the foundation of liberal thought. They warn against pitting anti-discrimination policies against universal values, stressing that both must coexist. At the same time, they criticise overly prescriptive gender policies, favouring individual responsibility over state intervention.

The pair also propose market-driven solutions to climate change, blending economic liberalism with environmental goals. They argue that the Greens—not the FDP—are now the true successors to the liberal tradition. Their vision includes a European defence union, merging security with progressive values. Their intervention follows the FDP's sharp drop in support. In 2021, the party won 10–12% in federal elections, but recent state votes show collapse: 2.1% in Rhineland-Palatinate (down from 5.5%) and 4.78% in Baden-Württemberg (losing all 18 seats). Analysts attribute the losses to voter shifts toward the CDU, AfD, and others, fuelled by frustration with the Ampel coalition.

Brantner and Onay's article frames the Greens as defenders of a modernised liberalism—one that balances freedom, justice, and sustainability. Their call for market-based climate policies and a stronger European defence union signals a bid to reshape Germany's political centre. Meanwhile, the FDP's electoral struggles highlight the shifting landscape for liberal ideas in the country.