Aiwanger remains head of the Free Voters: satisfaction despite decline!

Aiwanger remains head of the Free Voters: satisfaction despite decline!

Strong re-election for Hubert Aiwanger: At the state assembly of Free Voters in Straubing, he received an impressive 82.3 percent of the delegate votes. This means that Aiwanger, who has led the party since 2006 and is also federal chairman, remains at the top. A real sign of confidence from the delegates, even if the support result has decreased compared to his re-elections in 2021 (95 percent) and 2023 (95 percent). Aiwanger was satisfied with the result and emphasized that the work for the Free Voters will now continue. This reports the NP Coburg.

The last meeting was primarily focused on the upcoming local elections in March 2026, which Aiwanger sees as a central element for the Free Voters. In his keynote speech, he spoke about the need to reduce bureaucracy and criticized the current regulations that burden municipalities. The requirements from Brussels, which concern the end of combustion engines and new heating regulations, were also sharply denounced. Aiwanger emphasized that Germany had followed environmental activists like Greta Thunberg for too long, while countries like China were able to secure raw materials. He also recalled that the Free Voters are committed to environmental and animal protection, but do not want to place an excessive burden on the economy, as they do South German newspaper reported.

Looking at future challenges

Aiwanger paid particular attention to the financing structure of municipalities and called for simplified construction regulations and more support for companies. However, there was internal dissatisfaction with his sometimes harsh rhetoric, which was perceived by some as too polarizing. Several local associations distanced themselves from the state party. Nevertheless, the pressure on the Free Voters is great, especially after the disappointing results in the federal election, which only brought in 4.3 percent in Bavaria and 1.5 percent nationwide. BR.de emphasizes that Aiwanger does not have to fear serious competition within the party.

Another important point that Aiwanger addressed was the “connectivity principle” to financial responsibility in local politics. The question is how much funding the federal and state governments have to make available in order to fulfill the required tasks. Aiwanger said that the success of the Free Voters in the local elections will be important to strengthen the party's roots. With Hans Martin Grötsch as the new general secretary, who succeeds Susann Enders, a breath of fresh air could come into the party structure.

Future in view

The Free Voters have firmly decided to have a greater presence in local politics in the coming elections and to exploit their history as “pragmatists, bridge builders and idea generators”. Digital Minister Fabian Mehring also announced that the party's range of topics needed to be broader. What happens next with the Free Electorate was also closely monitored by business, as Aiwanger received support from the President of the Bavarian Business Association.