The Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing of the FDP has cautioned his party against leaving the traffic light coalition, emphasizing the importance of not oversimplifying complex societal issues by dismissing it as “stupid.” He highlighted the significance of working together across party lines, as mandated by the voters. Wissing pointed out that democracy thrives on compromise and the ability to reach a majority to address social conflicts.
At their upcoming party conference, the FDP will discuss key proposals for economic reforms, with an emphasis on their vision for a social market economy. However, Minister Wissing clarified that these discussions should not be interpreted as preparation to exit the coalition. Instead, he emphasized that the party decides based on what they believe is best for society and aims to appeal to dissatisfied voters rather than strengthening extremist movements through protests.
The FDP has faced criticism from other parties, particularly from the SPD, for proposing cuts to the welfare state in their economic turnaround plans. Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder viewed these plans as a sign of potential coalition dissolution. However, Minister Wissing reiterated that other parties also make demands that may not align with the FDP’s views and emphasized that it is important for them to stay true to their values and beliefs while also considering the broader impact on society.
In conclusion, Minister Wissing’s remarks underscored the FDP’s commitment to working within the traffic light coalition and addressing societal challenges through compromise and cooperation. He emphasized that democracy thrives on compromise and stressed the importance of staying true to one’s values while also considering how actions can impact society at large.