TheFree Democratic Party orFreie Demokratische Partei, shortFDP (from 1968 to 2001F.D.P.) is apolitical party inGermany. The party advocates for a morefree marketeconomy. Although they agree to some aspects of the Germanwelfare state, they want to see a reduction in government spending and a movement toprivatization.
Severalliberal parties have existed in Germany since the 19th century.The FDP was founded inWest Germany in September 1945 in the state ofHamburg. It became member of the state parliament of Hamburg in its first election.Similar liberal parties were founded in other German states, most of them successful in getting mandates.In 1947, on March 17th, theDemokratische Partei Deutschlands (DPD) was founded as a whole-Germany liberal party byTheodor Heuss andWilhelm Külz, but it broke down after a short while.
On 11 December 1948 the FDP was founded as a liberal party for West Germany.Chief of the party was Theodor Heuss. The next important man wasThomas Dehler.
In its first years the main part of the party followed a national-liberal way. Liberal in the economical field, but very conserative in most other fields.But in every state it had its own way.
The FDP was the smaller partner of theCDU underKonrad Adenauer. It was member of the West German government from 1949 to 1966.
The party changed its values. Left-liberal positions were the leading ideas of the FDP at that time and included ideas likecivil rights and giving everyone the chance for a good education (guaranteed statestipendia, no more study fees, more higher education schools).
It changed again in 1982, when the government crashed on Schmidt and electedHelmut Kohl of theCDU as the new chancellor.It became more and more a single issue party with its only interest in a low taxtariff - especially for highincomes.It fought for study fees now and againstsocial security. It secretary general said one day "We are the party of the best-incomes".
In some state parliaments the FDP is still in power as junior partner of the CDU.
The party's unofficial motto is "So viel Staat wie nötig, so wenig Staat wie möglich!", meaning "as much state as necessary, as little state as possible!"
