The traditional New Year's reception of the FDP district association in Fulda was more than just a social meeting this year. Two weeks before the local elections, the Liberals used the event to swear their members into the final spurt – and at the same time take stock of their political work.

Fulda – In the district council, the FDP governs together with the CDU, and in the city of Fulda it forms a coalition with the CDU and CWE. Accordingly, those responsible at the Flora Café on the Frauenberg confidently pointed out their role in municipal responsibility. District chairman Mario Klotzsche spoke of a “reliable, quiet and successful” cooperation and highlighted, for example, that the district continues to charge the lowest district levy in Hesse. Despite strained municipal finances, this gives municipalities scope for investments.

FDP state leader Thorsten Lieb at the New Year's reception in Fulda

With a view to the election campaign Klotzsche appeared combative. You can see “a lot of yellow” in the cityscape, he said, referring to the poster campaign. Even if individual posters – for example by Jürgen Plappert – kept disappearingdon't be discouraged. “We are stepping on the gas,” said the district chairman. It is particularly pleasing that the FDP is running in the district this time with an additional list. This shows that people, especially young people, can be won over to local politics.

Ramona Sachtleber, chairwoman of the FDP city association, bridged the gap between the balance sheet and the outlook. Fulda faces opportunities, but also financial challenges. “We have to be responsible with our finances,” she said. The FDP relies on modern, efficient administration instead of additional bureaucracy. Fulda must remain attractive for families, employees and companies.

In his welcoming speech, District Administrator Bernd Woide (CDU) called for close cooperation in the bourgeois camp. In view of increasing social spending, he warned that public budgets would be overwhelmed: “This welfare state can no longer be financed.” At the same time, he emphasized the importance of volunteer work for the functioning of the local level.

Guest speaker Dr. Thorsten Lieb, state chairman of the FDP since April last year, placed the municipalities at the center of his speech. He viewed the developments in the Fulda district as evidence that local cooperation can bring concrete results. Nevertheless, he clearly criticized what he saw as the shrinking room for maneuver of cities and municipalities: “The municipalities are becoming sour.” The Basic Law guarantees local self-government. In practice, however, we move from funding program to funding program: “Local self-government is effectively dead.”

Lieb criticizes cities and communities' shrinking scope for action

Cities and districts nationwide posted record deficits. If investments in daycare centers or sports halls are postponed, it is not an abstract number, but rather noticeable in everyday life. Lieb therefore spoke out in favor of stronger basic financial resources for municipalities, for example through changing the proportion of income or sales tax. The goal must be to create real decision-making options on site again.

The state chairman also sees a need for reform at the federal level. Many people are afraid of relegation. Some reforms are often just a question of “pure mathematics”. The FDP must have the courage to openly address necessary changes – even “if not everyone jumps in the air for joy.” But he is “personally fed up with big speeches being given on Sundays and nothing noticeable happening Monday to Friday.”

Lieb was also critical of the recently passed tariff tax law, which, in his view, creates additional bureaucracy. Basically, there is a need for a consistent dismantling of excessive regulations and structural reforms of the social systems. He confirmed that Chancellor Friedrich Merz had a clear line in foreign policy. At the same time, Lieb emphasized German reasons of state and called for a clear stance against radicalism and anti-Semitism.

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