Party comeback?
May 14, 2011
The newly elected leader of Germany's Free Democratic Party (FDP), Philipp Rösler, on Saturday told a his party conference that the change of leadership would boost their ailing fortunes.
The FDP, a business-oriented party, are the junior partners in Chancellor Angela Merkel's governing coalition. Since the party's record 14.9 percent share in the 2009 general election its approval rate has plummeted to rock bottom with a number of embarrassing regional election setbacks earlier this year.
The 38-year-old Rösler was elected on Friday to replace German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who had been at the helm of the party for the last ten years and has gotten much of the blame for the party's current poor standing.
A return to core values
Rösler, in a speech at Saturday's party conference, acknowledged past mistakes but said a return to the FDP's core values would get them out of the slump.
"More than anything, people want us to deliver results," Rösler told the meeting in the city of Rostock. "Dear voters, from today on the FDP will deliver."
One of the party's main promises during the 2009 election campaign had been tax cuts and their supporters have blamed them for failing to deliver on that issue.
Who's to blame?
Rösler blamed part the failure to stick to their agenda to concessions made to Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU). As the main party in the governing coalition, the CDU decides on most of the major policy directions.
"Unfortunately, out of regard for our coalition partner we shelved necessary and urgent projects," he said.
Reducing taxes was still on the agenda he stressed.
"We are just waiting for our coalition partner," he said.
Aside from being crowned leader of the FDP, Rösler also profited from a major cabinet reshuffle earlier this week. He moved from the health to the economics ministry, replacing party colleague Rainer Brüderle who was chosen to take over as FDP parliamentary group leader.
Rösler will also become vice-chancellor, taking over the role from Guido Westerwelle. However, Westerwelle will remain German foreign minister.
Author: Andreas Illmer (dpa, AFP, AP)
Editor: Kyle James