Germans: What is the FPD party ?

[Fake Boris]

What is the FPD party, and in particular its platform ? I'm wondering what the 'Freiheitliche' stands for in the name. Liberal, in what way ? And what do you think of the party ?

[Lawrence of Arabia]

they are classical liberals.

[Pekka]

I don't know but I'll guarantee it sounds angry.

[Winston]

German sister party of mine. Hans-Dietrich Genscher's party which does not make it rule any less.

[Main_Brain]

The FDP propagates individual Freedom and Responsibility, I refuse to discuss my personal Opinion on those Guys on the Internet

[Fake Boris]

What is their stance on the issue of free speech ? do they oppose genocide denial laws, for instance ?

[Winston]

I don't think those are much of a topic of discussion in any German political party.

[Ecthy]

That's very concrete. They're certainly for liberal values on the social as on the economic scale alike, do have a strong left liberal basis as well though.

[Fake Boris]

Originally posted by Winston
I don't think those are much of a topic of discussion in any German political party.

Well I read that they only get 5-10% of the vote, so one might think that they adhere to 'stranger than standard' positions.

[Ecthy]

Oncle Boris, the FDP generally holds positions that are somewhat more extreme in the liberal direction than the rest of the parties, especially where economic issues are concerned. Thes eare the issues where they stand out with particular ideas. In the social liberal/libertarian field they're also usually in the most liberal positions, not rarely agreeing with the Green party.

As Winston already pointed out, Holocaust denial is not a political issue in Germany. A party with a national emphasis might raise the issue (not the holocaust itself but the law against denial, which is stupid IMHO), but the FDP isn't a national liberal party. Prohibition of holocaust denial is too much of a widely accepted status quo in German politics, as are most freedom of speech issues.

Recently there have been discussions about press freedom, the FDP normally is on the pro-freedom side.

[Fake Boris]

Let's be honest here : I'm asking this question because I'll be applying to a scholarship offered by them to study in Germany, and I'm trying to get an idea of what I should write and not write on my application form.

This whole liberal thing puzzles me. Social liberal and economic liberal ? How does that in their concrete propositions ?

Edit: thanks for your x-posted answer.

[Winston]

I don't know about any "strong left liberal basis". The role they traditionally play is that of a clearly non-socialist centre party that can negotiate and form alliances with just about everyone, save the Communists.

It places strong emphasis on civil liberties and individual choice. Arguably the most staunchly pro-European party. Instrumental (through Genscher) in the political lead-up to re-unification and eventual relaxation of tensions with the Soviets at the time. Historically a potential coalition partner of of both the SPD and the CDU.

It's called FDP, by the way.

[Ecthy]

The term "liberal" is generally puzzling. In the case of the FDP, it's not so as in they're liberal on the economic (free market) as well as the social scale (equal rights for gays, women etc.) as opposed to liberal conservatives.

The party consists of all sorts of liberals though, you'll find classical left-liberals (social-liberal) as well as libcons.

Your application should be honest. There'll be a reason why you got there. Just don't demand socialisation of big companies and you'll be fine.

[Ecthy]

Winston - "left-liberal" has nothing to do with socialism. It's about the application of freedom values in social issues as opposed to classical liberal-conservatism of the 19th and early 20th century.

[Winston]

Originally posted by Ecthy
Winston - "left-liberal" has nothing to do with socialism. It's about the application of freedom values in social issues as opposed to classical liberal-conservatism of the 19th and early 20th century.

But that's called Social Liberalism in English, for lack of a more precise term. Left Liberalism suggests some else entirely.

I agree, obviously, that the FDP is a Liberal / Social Liberal party in its politics. Quite impossible to place in a Trans-Atlantic political context. If only the term "Liberal" hadn't been corrupted so, internationally.

Originally posted by Oncle Boris
I'm asking this question because I'll be applying to a scholarship offered by them to study in Germany, and I'm trying to get an idea of what I should write and not write on my application form.

Should do you good. Good luck with the application, I hope you get the position.