Germany’s pro-business Free Democrats may be essential to forming a government

CHRISTIAN LINDNERFDPFDPFDPCDUCSU, the leader of Germany’s pro-business Free Democratic Party (), is likely to emerge as a crucial figure after the election. Polling suggests it will be hard to form a coalition without the . The 42-year-old Mr Lindner will relish the chance to cap his rapid political ascent with a job inside Germany’s next government—ideally as finance minister. His enemies would see that as their worst nightmare.The advocates tax cuts, slashing red tape, pension reform and limits to European fiscal integration. More recently it has urged a faster easing of lockdown rules. The party has doubled its support in the past year, thanks in part to the collapse of the conservative /. A snappy dresser and charismatic performer who regularly tops “Germany’s hottest politician” lists, Mr Lindner dominates his party to the exclusion of its other talents. At a recent campaign event in Berlin he was swarmed by admirers after delivering a fiery speech in which he sniped viciously at the Greens’ plans for debt-funded investment.