Leader of German pro-business party steps down following electoral loss
The head of the Free Democratic Party of Germany has declared his decision to step down. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
FDP leader Christian Lindner has announced his retirement from politics following a disappointing outcome in the Bundestag elections.
“The federal election brought a defeat for the FDP, but hopefully a new beginning for Germany. That was what I had fought for,” Lindner stated on social media.
“Now I am retiring from active politics,” he added.
As of 00:35 am local time on Monday, German media reports indicated that Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union had garnered 28.5% of the votes, while the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party was projected to secure 20.7%. The FDP, on the other hand, is anticipated to receive only 4.4%.
Lindner previously held the position of finance minister in the so-called traffic light coalition, which included the FDP, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats, and the Greens.
The coalition ended last year when Lindner withdrew his support amid budgetary disagreements.
In his first statement after the release of preliminary results, Scholz expressed his acknowledgment of the election outcome: “This is a bitter election result for the Social Democratic Party. It is also an electoral defeat.”
The election campaign was heavily influenced by calls to address illegal immigration and extremism, especially following a series of terrorist attacks. Additionally, discussions were held regarding Germany's role in global affairs, particularly in light of US President Donald Trump’s efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict without EU involvement.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
“The federal election brought a defeat for the FDP, but hopefully a new beginning for Germany. That was what I had fought for,” Lindner stated on social media.
“Now I am retiring from active politics,” he added.
As of 00:35 am local time on Monday, German media reports indicated that Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union had garnered 28.5% of the votes, while the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party was projected to secure 20.7%. The FDP, on the other hand, is anticipated to receive only 4.4%.
Lindner previously held the position of finance minister in the so-called traffic light coalition, which included the FDP, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats, and the Greens.
The coalition ended last year when Lindner withdrew his support amid budgetary disagreements.
In his first statement after the release of preliminary results, Scholz expressed his acknowledgment of the election outcome: “This is a bitter election result for the Social Democratic Party. It is also an electoral defeat.”
The election campaign was heavily influenced by calls to address illegal immigration and extremism, especially following a series of terrorist attacks. Additionally, discussions were held regarding Germany's role in global affairs, particularly in light of US President Donald Trump’s efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict without EU involvement.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
