Kemmerich becomes head of Team Freiheit – What does that mean for Thuringia?

Kemmerich becomes head of Team Freiheit – What does that mean for Thuringia?

Thomas Kemmerich, the former head of the Thuringian FDP and ex-Prime Minister, has decided to take a new political path. He was appointed the new chairman of the Team Freiheit association, which was founded by former AfD politician Frauke Petry. The announcement of his new position was announced on social media today and has caused quite a stir. How tagesschau.de According to reports, Kemmerich joined Team Freiheit shortly after leaving the FDP and had previously rejected rumors about a possible joining.

The reasons for his leaving the FDP are related to a drifting apart in his ideas about political orientation. In his resignation, he said that his vision for the future of the country no longer corresponded to that of the FDP. He did not want to comment further on inquiries from MDR Thuringia about his resignation, but FDP state deputy Gerald Ullrich also announced his resignation and was affected by Kemmerich's decision. Ullrich emphasized that doubts about Kemmerich's democratic stance may have played a role, further complicating the situation.

The Team Freedom association

Team Freiheit, which is now led by Kemmerich, does not plan to seek political office or mandates itself, but rather wants to support candidates who share the club's goals. This approach could aim to create a new political offer. t-online.de reports that the citizens' movement aims to appeal to voters beyond traditional political boundaries and to compete in next year's state elections. Petry himself has already announced plans to found a new party, which could further shake up the dynamics of Thuringian politics.

Kemmerich has caused a stir in the past with his political career. In 2020 he was unexpectedly elected Prime Minister of Thuringia with votes from the CDU, AfD and FDP. This step led to a government crisis and his resignation, which severely strained his relationship with the federal FDP.

Criticism from within your own party

The announcement of his new political commitment could not go without resistance. The Thuringian Young Liberals, the FDP's youth organization, have already called for Kemmerich's resignation after a photo emerged of him with Petry and a former FDP MP. You see in this illustration a dangerous proximity to positions that are incompatible with the liberal basic values ​​of the FDP. How mdr.de emphasizes, the JuLis criticize Kemmerich's repeated solo efforts and advocate a clear demarcation from extremist positions.

Overall, it remains to be seen how Kemmerich's new role will develop in the context of Team Freiheit and whether he will succeed in his goal of mobilizing new groups of voters or whether he will continue to face resistance from within his own ranks. The political landscape in Thuringia remains exciting, and the coming months could be crucial for the future direction of political actors.