FDP leader Rülke: Departure for government responsibility in 2026!

FDP leader Rülke: Departure for government responsibility in 2026!

Preparations for the state elections in Baden-Württemberg on March 8, 2026 are in full swing. At today's state representative meeting in Pforzheim it was decided that the FDP would go into the election campaign with Hans-Ulrich Rülke at the helm. Rülke, who has been a member of the state parliament since 2006 and already leads the parliamentary group, won an impressive 88.9 percent of the votes. He wants to lead the FDP out of the opposition and into the state government and is optimistic that the party can prove to voters what it can do, despite current surveys that only show the five percent hurdle. This was reported by swr.de.

Rülke, who was recently elected as the new regional association head, wants to bring about a “civic turnaround”. This includes a greater focus on performance and competitive ideas. In the last election in 2021, the FDP received 10.5 percent of the vote, while it was last part of the state government in 2011. Failure to meet the five percent hurdle could significantly jeopardize trust in the party at the national level. Rülke was always critical of the Greens and called for a reduction in bureaucracy and compliance with the debt brake.

New steps and challenges

The importance of the upcoming election should not be underestimated for the FDP. Rülke emphasizes that placement on the state list will be crucial after the FDP did not win any direct mandates in the last elections. With the new voting law, list allocation becomes relevant, as the second mandates are awarded to the “best losers”. Rülke has already secured both positions in order to enjoy more freedom during the election campaign, which could give him a strategic advantage. His deputies have also already been elected: Pascal Kober with 78 percent and Benjamin Strasser with 82.5 percent.

At the local political level, the FDP is meeting with delegates in Pforzheim today, while the SPD is holding a party conference in Fellbach at the same time. The top candidates for the state elections will also be decided this week: In addition to Rülke for the FDP, Andres Stoch will represent the SPD. The FDP is well positioned, but the competition is not sleeping, especially with a potential CDU candidate like Manuel Hagel and the former Federal Minister Cem Özdemir from the Greens.

The way into the future

The state elections next year will not only shape the parties' programs, but will also influence the political landscape in Germany. Rülke and the FDP hope that a possible coalition with the CDU and SPD could play a decisive role in the new government, especially with a change in prime minister since Winfried Kretschmann of the Greens is no longer running.

With clear goals and an ambitious strategy, the FDP is taking a courageous step forward under Rülke's leadership. The coming months will show whether they can implement their demands. A strong campaign could potentially secure a place in the next state government, which would mark an important new beginning for the Liberals. The voters will have to be convinced that things will continue well with the FDP.