- Parliamentary representative Enseleit transitions party allegiance from FDP to CDU.
The 54-year-old politician Sabine Enseleit unexpectedly left the FDP group and transitioned to the CDU group. She cited growing philosophical disagreements with the FDP's strategy, particularly in drug policy, and the absence of accountability within the state FDP following the disappointing results in the June local and European elections as her reasons. Enseleit explained her decision in Schwerin.
Change of Party and Faction
Enseleit stated, "It wasn't about brainstorming ways to improve. I gradually lost faith that I could still bring about change." She criticized the lack of self-reflection and individual responsibility at the top of the state FDP. Enseleit, who had been part of the FDP since 2019, also resignated from the party and submitted an application to join the CDU. Previously, she had worked for the CDU as an entrepreneur and university lecturer before being elected to the state parliament in 2021.
Second FDP Politician to Join the Union in a Short Time
Enseleit's switch follows the move of Hamburg's parliamentary representative Anna von Treuenfels-Frowein to join the Union.
Warm Welcome into CDU Faction
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's CDU state and faction leader Daniel Peters expressed joy at Enseleit's arrival, calling her a "dedicated and respected MP for the CDU." The faction unanimously accepted her into its ranks during a meeting on Tuesday.
CDU's Visible Opposition in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Peters noted that Enseleit's switch sends a message that the CDU is the "perceptible opposition" in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The CDU now has 13 MPs, the same number as the previously largest opposition faction, the AfD.
Enseleit's Focus Areas with the CDU
Enseleit will focus on transportation and digitalization for the CDU in the state parliament, with the military and state marketing also included.
CDU Open to More Parliamentarians
Peters used the personnel gain to reiterate the CDU faction's readiness to accept other dissatisfied parliamentarians. "We are open to others who fundamentally share our values and want to contribute to political change in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern," said Peters. This offer is extended to all parties. "I believe there are also people in the AfD faction who want to distance themselves from this extremism and the infighting within this faction," said Peters. However, the federal party's decisions to distance itself from the AfD will not be challenged.
FDP Faction Speaks of Distance
The FDP state parliament faction was not surprised by Enseleit's decision. Her exit is linked to a longer-term estrangement from the faction and the election of the faction leadership before the summer break, in which Enseleit was not represented. "Today's decision is the logical conclusion of these developments and does not come as a surprise to us," commented faction leader René Domke on Enseleit's decision.
At the 2021 state election, the FDP received 5.8 percent of the vote and entered the Schwerin parliament with five MPs. With Enseleit's exit, there are now four left. "We will continue to work diligently and unitedly in the state parliament," emphasized Domke.
Enseleit's departure from the FDP group was a result of her desire for withdrawal, as she expressed losing faith in her ability to bring about change within the party. Following her resignation, she applied for membership in the CDU, seeking a new platform for her focus areas of transportation, digitalization, and state marketing.
