Maritime fact check for the 2021 Bundestag election - Party programme of the Free Democrats (FDP)

On Sunday, 26 September 2021, Germany will elect its 20th Bundestag - a good occasion and now a tradition for our blog #meerverstehen to take a closer look at the parties' election manifestos in terms of their maritime content!

It is a truism that everything is connected to everything else: The modern global economy cannot do without maritime transport routes, energy production and supply are often dependent on free access to the seas, which is therefore one of the most important security policy issues in international politics. The current commentary "Between fine words and reasons of state" in the marineforum online points out the importance and interlinking of various maritime topics for Germany as well:

Obviously, the German government does not take its political signals towards the USA very seriously - but it does towards China. In connection with the planned voyage of a German frigate to the Indo-Pacific region, Federal Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in an interview with Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland in favour of maintaining free trade routes. "We are not just talking about the freedom of sea routes, which is being jeopardised by China, but we are also prepared to do something about it." He continued: "I want us to do more than just make fine words, we really want to do something." [...] However, Germany will not be present in the Taiwan Strait, precisely where freedom of navigation is most disputed by China. As early as 30 March 2021, State Secretary Peter Deaf in response to a question by Ulrich Lechte (FDP): "A voyage through the Taiwan Strait is not planned as part of the frigate Bayern's Indo-Pacific Deployment 2021."

The German government therefore seemed to have decided early on not to antagonise Beijing. In view of the reported course of the telephone conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Angela Merkel on 7 April is no surprise. The Middle Kingdom links development opportunities as well as market and trade opportunities to good behaviour. Berlin is aligning itself with the EU's line, which wavers between inclusion, cooperation and well-dosed criticism. At the same time, Brussels is seeking proximity to like-minded partners such as Japan and Australia.

How sensitive are our parties to maritime issues? We want to start the series with the offer of the Free Democrats (FDP), followed by the Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens and the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU). Last but not least, at the beginning of September we want to analyse the main topics of the parties in the Wahl-O-Matpublished by the Federal Agency for Civic Education and intended as a comparative information service, under the maritime microscope. As in the past, we do not expect the editorial team to recommend any particular publication, nor do we wish to pass judgement on the quality of the content at this point. Rather, we would like to provide our readership with an initial overview of the weighting and awareness of maritime issues in the broadest sense among the parties and thus encourage further debate and discussion. The following terms (and their variations) are taken into account in the analysis: Navy, Bundeswehr, shipyard, ships, maritime, offshore, water, sea, ocean, trade, logistics, waterways, Atlantic, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and Pacific. As always, the parties themselves are responsible for the content and readability of their programmes!

The Free Democrats (FDP) were last part of a coalition government from 2009 to 2013 (Merkel II cabinet), where they were in charge of the Foreign Affairs, Justice, Economics and Technology, Health and Economic Cooperation and Development ministries. From the Free Democrats' election programme for the 2021 Bundestag elections (Excerpt in the order of the programme):

Reform the WTO - strengthen free trade
We Free Democrats want to maintain the tried and tested framework of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). develop further. The reform process must be transparent and inclusive. We reject national solo efforts and arbitrary tariffs as well as new non-tariff trade barriers. We are committed to resolving the blockade of WTO dispute settlement as quickly as possible. This also requires a new comprehensive round of negotiations in which a balance of interests between industrialised, emerging and developing countries is achieved. This round of negotiations must also include an evaluation of where WTO rules have not yet been effective in practice. We want subsidies and dumping to be combated wherever these practices hinder fair competition. Currently, this applies in particular to the construction of means of transport such as trains, aeroplanes and ships.

Establishment of a transatlantic economic area
We Free Democrats want to achieve a new attempt at a comprehensive transatlantic free trade agreement and a transatlantic economic area. The EU free trade agreement with Canada (CETA), which was concluded in 2017 and should finally be ratified by Germany, can provide a blueprint. We also want to swiftly finalise and ratify the EU free trade agreement with Mercosur.

Involvement of extracurricular players & initiatives
We Free Democrats are calling for quality criteria and guidelines for cooperation between schools and extracurricular initiatives. Committed scientists and experts of all ages can tell pupils about their work in a way that is close to their everyday lives, invite them to try it out and explain the significance of their research for society. This allows pupils to gain new perspectives regardless of their parental background. We reject civil clauses or the blanket exclusion of companies, political parties and the Bundeswehr in the education sector.

Use seaports & inland waterways
We Free Democrats want to actively promote our harbours, shipping and thus the maritime economy in order to make them fit for the future. The aim is to realise both the great economic and ecological potential. After all, sea and inland ports will play an increasingly important role in the future. After all, shipping is already the most environmentally friendly mode of freight transport in terms of distance travelled and volume transported. As the development of infrastructure is one of the core tasks of the state and makes a decisive contribution to the resilience and success of the German economy, we are endeavouring to strengthen the sea and inland ports. We want to achieve this through good competitive conditions in Europe so that we can keep pace with ports from Rotterdam to Piraeus - by further upgrading the waterways, better interlinking the inland and coastal waterway network and expanding hinterland connections. This will require better co-operation between the federal and state governments in the future, and not only in the area of water depth maintenance. However, ports and shipping will not only become increasingly important in logistics, but will also play a decisive role in the energy supply of the future. Here, we must also set the right course at an early stage so that maritime transport routes can make their contribution. Overall, the industry needs more attention because maritime shipping is of enormous strategic importance for us as an export nation. It secures many jobs and prosperity beyond the borders of its sector.

 Connecting Europe better - expanding transport networks
We Free Democrats are calling for a holistic infrastructure strategy for Europe and the expansion of trans-European transport networks. This includes a well-developed (high-speed) rail network as well as high-performance port facilities, airports and motorways. The aim is to link European metropolises and transhipment points even more closely.

Environmental protection
Just as important as forests on land are the algae forests, seagrass meadows and phytoplankton in the oceans for storing carbon from the atmosphere and providing oxygen. Healthy marine flora therefore not only makes an important contribution to the health of the ocean ecosystem, but also to sustainable climate protection. This is why we need to protect marine flora in particular.

Clean water
We want to ensure that our groundwater resources are managed carefully and remain clean. We are also committed to wetland biotopes and intact bodies of water because they are important for the municipal water supply, our health and biodiversity. This is why inputs, for example residues from agriculture, industry, mining and medicines, must always be reduced where there is a risk. The polluter pays principle applies.

Marine protection as a task for the future
We Free Democrats want to expand marine research and are in favour of a sustainable marine policy that reconciles economic use, environmental protection and safety. Germany must expand its pioneering role internationally. We therefore want to work at European and international level to expand the protection of the Arctic. For us, marine policy is a task for the future. The sea not only supplies oxygen, resources and energy, but is also an important climate regulator. The consequences of climate change and overfishing as well as marine pollution (including plastic waste, chemicals, several million tonnes of munitions, other warfare agents and waste oil) and piracy pose a threat to the world's largest habitat. Together with European partners, the pollutants are to be recovered or rendered harmless in a timely manner. To remedy the situation, existing concepts must be resolutely implemented and innovative solutions developed. Tackling these challenges decisively not only creates an environment worth living in, but also harbours tangible economic potential for our coastal regions - for example by attracting innovative companies from the maritime sector.

Aim for open strategic sovereignty of the EU
We Free Democrats support the European Union's goal of achieving greater strategic sovereignty. For us, this means first and foremost the ability to act independently. Equipped with the necessary means, the EU could better assert its own interests and values in the future and become less dependent and vulnerable in important areas such as energy supply, raw material imports and digital technology. The EU must use its own strengths more strategically in trade and development policy and develop its own military capabilities in the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). This does not contradict the transatlantic partnership and NATO, but rather increases the EU's weight in contributing to the liberal world order as an equal partner. However, the desire for strategic sovereignty must not lead to protectionism or self-isolation.

In favour of a European army
We Free Democrats want to build a European army under joint supreme command and parliamentary control. To this end, we are striving for the gradual closer integration and expansion of joint capabilities of the armed forces of EU member states willing to integrate. The aim is to create a European Defence Union as an intermediate step towards a future European army. To this end, we want to accelerate the current expansion of the European Defence Union. European command structures and a joint military headquarters, as well as training facilities such as a European Security Academy, must be created. We want to intensify exchanges between the European armed forces through an Erasmus+ programme for soldiers of all ranks. In all these steps, we are taking care to further strengthen interoperability with NATO forces and instruments.

 In favour of a common & innovative EU external energy policy
We Free Democrats want a common EU external energy policy. The aim is to enable the EU to diversify its energy sources and reduce its dependence on individual suppliers. [...] Our cooperation with Russia should also focus on renewable energies, hydrogen and synthetic fuels. The EU member states will continue to be dependent on energy imports in order to guarantee continuous security of supply. In view of this dependence, energy policy is always also foreign and security policy. A common stance among EU member states with regard to external sources of supply is therefore essential.

In favour of a unified German foreign, security and development policy
We Free Democrats call for a unified German foreign, security and development policy. Germany must strategically and institutionally harmonise its international activities in order to be able to respond to complex global challenges and assume more responsibility in the world. We therefore want Germany to implement the networked approach in its international action to a greater extent than before. To this end, we want to adapt the security policy decision-making structures and create the financial prerequisites. External and internal security threats are increasingly interlinked. We are therefore calling for the establishment of a National Security Council, which will make it possible to plan, decide and act more quickly and with greater foresight when faced with international challenges. Furthermore, Germany needs an overall political strategy that defines the goals and priorities of our foreign, defence and development policy. We Free Democrats also want Germany to invest three percent of its gross domestic product in international security ("3D - defence, development and diplomacy") as part of a networked approach, thereby fulfilling the commitments it has made in NATO, consolidating its development policy and strengthening its diplomacy.

Clear commitment to NATO
We Free Democrats are fully committed to NATO. Because NATO is a unrivalled success of the security alliance. It should continue to act as a guarantor for our security. We fully support the key decisions taken by the Alliance in Wales and Warsaw: strengthening NATO's deterrence and defence capabilities through financial resources, capabilities and contributions, accompanied by dialogue with Russia. In addition, we want to further develop the Alliance strategically and support the process of developing a new Strategic Concept. For us, this includes a clear strategy for dealing with the People's Republic of China as well as NATO's cooperation and collaboration with democratic partner states in the Indo-Pacific region.

 Modernisation of the Bundeswehr - better equipment
We Free Democrats want to increase the operational readiness of the Bundeswehr and pursue a clear modernisation course to achieve this. Some of the armed forces' weapons systems are outdated or only partially operational. Important procurement projects are delayed or do not materialise at all and the maintenance of existing equipment is neglected. This must change. We want the training and equipment of our soldiers to be harmonised with the Bundeswehr's missions. For this reason, the trend reversals initiated to date must also be reviewed and the modernisation process of the Bundeswehr must be financially secured in the long term.

New impetus for arms control & disarmament
We Free Democrats are committed to the long-term goal of a world free of nuclear weapons and are committed to overcoming the ongoing crisis of nuclear disarmament and arms control. Against the backdrop of a changing security environment, the existing structures of nuclear arms control are disintegrating. At the same time, the threat posed by nuclear weapons in international politics is increasing again. We therefore want Germany and Europe to be strong driving forces in renewing and rethinking the instruments of disarmament and arms control for the 21st century. We are convinced that we can only prevent new spirals of nuclear armament in the long term if we succeed in bringing nuclear weapons states such as China to the negotiating table alongside the nuclear powers USA and Russia. Arms control agreements for so-called "cyber weapons", the new weapons of mass destruction in the information age, and the "hypersonic glide vehicles" with nuclear warheads that can reach and destroy any place in the world within an hour, must be negotiated urgently. This is a question of humanity's survival.

Renewing transatlantic partnerships
We Free Democrats are convinced transatlanticists and are committed to German-American friendship. The election of Joe Biden as US President offers a great opportunity to renew transatlantic relations for the coming decade. We want Germany and the EU to seize this opportunity. To this end, we Free Democrats want to intensify the dialogue with the United States at all levels, deepen transatlantic trade relations towards a transatlantic economic area and quickly renegotiate the EU-US Privacy Shield in order to find a legally secure solution for transatlantic data traffic. We also want to strengthen Europe's ability to act and the cohesion of NATO, thereby helping to put the special relationship between Europe and the US on a footing that takes account of the current geopolitical upheavals. The same applies to comprehensive relations with NATO partner Canada, where we want to adopt the EU-Canada trade agreement CETA, which has still not been ratified by the Grand Coalition, as quickly as possible.

 Expand Frontex for external border & sea rescue
We Free Democrats are calling for the EU border protection agency Frontex to be expanded more quickly to the planned staffing level of 10,000 officers - accompanied by a structural reform and an expansion of control and transparency mechanisms. Germany must play a greater role in this. An area without internal borders requires strong protection of the external borders. In many cases, the member states can no longer do this alone. A strong European border management agency that supports them in this is therefore in the interest of all member states and in particular in Germany's interest. Frontex should also take over sea rescue in order to finally put an end to the cruel deaths in the Mediterranean. This is a state task. As long as this is not guaranteed, private organisations that take on this task must not be hindered. The "pushbacks" carried out with the involvement of Frontex, i.e. the illegal pushing back of migrants, must be taken very seriously. We are committed to investigating such incidents and in favour of stricter mechanisms to prevent human rights violations. In this way, we are strengthening European border protection, improving sea rescue and ensuring that human rights are respected at the EU's external borders.

More speed with hydrogen
We Free Democrats want to establish hydrogen and synthetic fuels as the second pillar of the future energy system alongside electricity and drive forward the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy as quickly as possible. CO2-neutral hydrogen and synthetic fuels can replace fossil fuels in industry, power cars, ships and aeroplanes or heat buildings. [...] In order to ensure the production of energy sources at reasonable costs, investments must be made in plants worldwide. Photovoltaic or wind power plants at suitable locations in conjunction with connected infrastructure for the production of energy sources that are easy to store and transport can make a major contribution to this.

Adapting agriculture to drought
We Free Democrats want to make it easier for agriculture and forestry to adapt to climate change. To this end, we are focussing on helping people to help themselves. We want to enable agricultural and forestry businesses to make better provision for droughts and other consequences of climate change in good years with tax-exempt risk equalisation reserves. This will make them less dependent on state emergency programmes. We also want a paradigm shift in hydraulic engineering to ensure that sufficient water supplies are available for plant growth in the future. To this end, we will develop a National Action Plan for Water and Water Management.

Ensuring the sustainable utilisation of fish stocks
We Free Democrats want to consistently orientate all fisheries towards the principles of sustainable development. Environmental compatibility, social justice and economic stability must be given absolutely equal priority. Only in this way can fishing continue to play its important role in feeding the world in the future. To this end, we want to restrict bottom trawling and adapt fishing techniques to specific species, for example by increasing the mesh size of fishing nets. Bycatch should be counted towards fishing quotas. The successes of European fisheries policy in this area must be safeguarded. We also want to strengthen the competitiveness of our fishermen and aquaculture producers in international competition in the interests of consumers. We also rely on cooperative measures to monitor legal regulations, which are always based on scientific findings and must be further developed. However, control measures such as mandatory camera surveillance, which place an industry under general suspicion, are not compatible with our liberal stance. We are also emphatically in favour of the "multi-use approach" for offshore wind farms, so that fishing will also be possible in "offshore wind farms" in the future.

Note: The search terms "German Navy", "North Sea" and "Baltic Sea" as well as "shipyard" did not return any hits in the election programme of the Free Democrats (FDP) for the 2021 Bundestag elections.