| To reverse bad ratings at home, German liberals have taken the fight for their causes to the EU level, seeking to raise their visibility and distance themselves from Germany’s floundering coalition government. “Streitbar in Europa”, which translates as pugnacious or combative in Europe, was emblazoned in large letters on a banner behind the stage at a conference of the liberal FDP party at the end of January. Currently polling at four percent, the party is struggling as pro-business voters are punishing it for being part of the three-way centre-left government coalition during the current economic slump. Therefore, it is trying to shift blame to the EU for the much-maligned increase in red tape and position itself as a true fighter for the freedom of German businesses and consumers. More saliently, “combative in Europe” was coined in reference to the FDP’s lead candidate for the EU election, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, who has, in recent years, positioned herself as an advocate of a more committed delivery of weapons to Ukraine. But two other issues have also made the FDP put on its boxing gloves recently: The EU’s corporate sustainability due diligence directive (CSDDD) and the new CO2 standards for trucks. On the first one, resistance didn’t come as a surprise, at least for those who have followed the FDP’s rhetoric over the last months. Although the responsible German minister, Hubertus Heil (SPD/S&D), strongly supported the law, the coalition agreement between the three government parties already spoke of preventing excessive burdens for companies. When EU countries agreed on a common position, Germany issued a note calling for the rules for companies to be simplified so that they could reduce their liability risks. This request was not honoured. It is, therefore, relatively apparent that the FDP, which wants to campaign on a platform of reducing paperwork for companies, would not agree to such a law at this time. | 