Kubic delayes the withdrawal from the withdrawal
Since weeks, Wolfgang Kubicki presents himself as critical of traffic lights [traffic light coalition is a common term for a coalition government in Germany consisting of the Social Democratic Party, the Green Party, and the Free Democratic Party].
FDP Vice President Wolfgang Kubicki has retracted his announced resignation from politics. "I have decided to run again in the upcoming Bundestag election," the 72-year-old told the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung" (NOZ). "We are at around five percent in opinion polls. Christian Lindner and I have a common goal to reach the two-digit mark [20% or more] before the Bundestag election," he said, referring to the party leader.
Early in 2022, Kubicki announced his retirement as a professional politician. "That is definitely my last legislative term," he said at the time in "Focus" magazine. "In that sense, the fight for civil liberties after Corona will be my last," he added during the Covid-Pandemic.
He now justifies his role reversal with the political changes since then: "I didn't know we were in a pre-war phase and that the Russians would attack Ukraine," Kubicki told the NOZ. "I also didn't know that the situation in this traffic light government would become so problematic, leading to such a difficult situation for the FDP regarding voter approval."
Kubicki positions himself as an opponent of the traffic light coalition
Since 2013, Kubicki has been FDP Vice Chairman and since 2017, Vice President of the Bundestag. He has been criticizing the coalition partners in the federal government, SPD and Greens, in recent months, questioning the continuation of the traffic light coalition.
His age is no obstacle for another candidacy. "Merz is 68 and wants to be Federal Chancellor," Kubicki said. "Then I can run at 72 as well."
However, he rules out a ministerial position after the Bundestag election: "That's not going to happen. I don't want to ruin my life for that. I also don't want to be constantly accompanied by people, that would drive me crazy."
The Liberals must fight to stay in the Bundestag, needing five percent of the votes. According to recent polls, the FDP is currently polling between four and six percent.
Wolfgang Kubicki, as the FDP vice president, has been vocal in his criticism of the traffic light coalition, aligning himself as an opponent within the party. In his recent statements, Kubicki has expressed his desire to help Christian Lindner, the party leader, increase the FDP's voter approval, aiming to surpass the two-digit mark before the Bundestag election.
