Free Democratic Party
The FDP (Freie Demokratische Partei, Free Democratic Party) is a German liberal political party founded in 1948. It traditionally represents business and middle-class interests, advocating classical liberalism, free markets and European integration. The party has frequently served as a junior coalition partner in federal governments, including under Helmut Kohl and Angela Merkel.
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Former German Chancellor Schröder celebrated Putin's 74th birthday in Moscow, drawing condemnation from Berlin and Brussels
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder joined Vladimir Putin at Putin's home on 7 October to mark Putin's 74th birthday, according to the Kremlin. The visit triggered sharp criticism from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, senior Bundestag figures, EU leaders, and members of Schröder's own SPD, while some in the SPD defended the trip as a possible opening for mediation. Schröder travelled to Moscow in connection with the Russian subsidiary of the German Globus hypermarket chain, of whose supervisory board he is a member.