Freie Demokratische Partei
Free Democratic Party
Free Democratic Party
Centre-Right/Liberal
European Parliament Group
Change of -0.7 since last election
+0.4 in the last 3 months
The foundation of the FDP is a belief in individual autonomy. Their worldview is rooted in classical liberalism: for them, freedom is not the absence of rules, but the opportunity for self-realization. The state is seen as a necessary framework, but one that should largely refrain from interfering in private life and the market. Meritocracy and upward mobility through education form the core of their humanistic view, while progress primarily arises from competition and technological innovation rather than geoengineering or prohibitions.
The FDP champions policies for the self-employed, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and performance-oriented employees. Their agenda focuses on tax cuts, reducing bureaucracy, and a sound fiscal policy without new debt. In social policy, they advocate for modern civil liberties, a digitalized public administration, and strengthening private provision. A central tension often remains the balance between ecological imperatives and market-based freedom, with the party consistently favoring market-driven incentives over state control.
Within the German party system, the FDP often acts as a strategic kingmaker. As a "third way" between conservative and social democratic blocs, it enables shifting coalitions and sees itself as a corrective against excessive state intervention. Its relationship with the rule of law is characterized by a deep distrust of state surveillance.
We surveyed voters across all parties within the PolitPro community about their stances on key political issues. The bars illustrate the range of opinions among FDP supporters. A shorter bar indicates a more homogeneous opinion among supporters. Where available, the party's official position is displayed as a circle.
These values are derived from data provided by FDP supporters on the PolitPro platform. While this data is not a traditional representative random sample, the high number of participants provides deep insights into the priorities and values of the active voter base.
Total Duration: 54 years • 2 weeks • 1 day
Total Duration: -
Total Duration: 54 years • 2 weeks • 1 day
The party participated in government for 65% of the legislative period.
A comprehensive research database from the University of Bremen, documenting parties, elections, and governments for comparative analysis.ParlGov – Parliamentary Democracy Data
Döring, Holger and Philip Manow. 2024. Parliaments and governments database (ParlGov).
The leading expert survey on party positions in Europe. Over 400 political scientists document party stances based on rigorous scientific criteria.CHES – Chapel Hill Expert Survey
Rovny, Jan, et al. “25 Years of Political Party Positions in Europe: The Chapel Hill Expert Survey, 1999-2024.”