After graduating from Gymnasium in 1998 and an alternative civilian service, Christian Lindner studied political science at the University of Bonn from 1999 to 2006.[3] After eleven semesters he acquired the academic degree of Magister Artium (M.A). In his magister's thesis at the Institute of Political Science, he dealt with the topic: "Tax competition and revenue sharing. Can the financial constitution be reformed?"[4] In 2006, he began writing his dissertation under supervision from political science professor Frank Decker, which he has so far not completed due to his political activities.[5]
While studying Lindner became a reserve officer in the Air Force. In 2002, he was promoted to First lieutenant (Oberleutnant) in the Reserve. In 2008 he was a liaison officer to the state command Landeskommando of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in Düsseldorf. Since September 2011 he has held the rank of Captain (Hauptmann) in the Reserve.[6][7] Currently Lindner is a Major in the current, modern Luftwaffe.[8]
Early political career
Lindner joined the FDP in 1995.[9] He has been a member of the executive board of the FDP in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia since 1998 and became Secretary General in 2004 (until February 2010).[9] At the May 2000 election for the Landtag of North Rhine-Westphalia, the 21-year old Lindner was elected, becoming the youngest MP in the history of the state parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia.[9] Lindner was from 2000 initially 'spokesman for Intergenerational Affairs, Family and Integration' and then from 2005 to 2009 was also vice chairman of the FDP parliamentary group in the parliament and spokesman for Innovation, Science and Technology. In 2007 he also became a member of the executive board of the FDP on federal level.
From 2009 Lindner was a member of the German Bundestag. In the negotiations to form a coalition government following the 2009 federal elections, he was part of the FDP delegation in the working group on families, integration of immigrants and culture, led by Maria Böhmer and Hans-Joachim Otto.
From December 2009 until his surprise resignation[10] in December 2011, Lindner was also Secretary General of the FDP on federal level, largely under the leadership of party chairman Guido Westerwelle and later under Philipp Rösler when Westerwelle had to resign.[9] Lindner's resignation was caused by an internal party vote which had been forced by a group centered around the Eurosceptic FDP parliamentarian Frank Schäffler to determine the FDP's future course on questions pertaining to the European Stability Mechanism (ESM).[11]
Lindner was later chosen to chair the NRW FDP in the 2012 state election of North Rhine-Westphalia, succeeding Daniel Bahr.[12] In the election, the FDP received 8.6% of the vote,[13] surpassing all expectations at the time as the party had been fighting over all the country to reach the minimum representation of 5% for years and was losing representation in several states.[14] Following the party's victory at that election he was elected Parliamentary leader of the FDP in the NRW Landtag, succeeding Gerhard Papke on 15 May 2012, and worked in the opposition. In March 2013, he was elected one of Rösler's deputies, alongside Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger and Holger Zastrow.
FDP Chairman
Lindner was elected the new chairman of the FDP following the resignation of Chairman Philipp Rösler after the 2013 German federal elections[15][16] in which the FDP failed to clear the 5% hurdle to enter the Bundestag for the first time since 1949.[17]
Lindner was a FDP delegate to the Federal Convention for the purpose of electing the President of Germany in 2017, where he endorsed the government's candidate Frank-Walter Steinmeier.[21] That same year, he led his party's successful campaign for the 2017 state elections of North Rhine-Westphalia, which resulted in the FDP joining the state government of incoming Minister-PresidentArmin Laschet. Lindner himself did not take a position in the new government because of his aim to lead the FDP back to the Bundestag in September 2017, which he achieved with a result of 10.7%. After that success he was elected leader of the FDP parliamentary group in the Bundestag.
In October 2017, Angela Merkel's CDU and Katrin Göring-Eckardt's and Cem Özdemir's Greens started negotiations with the FDP to form a government, in which Lindner was widely seen as the future Minister of Finance, as the CDU had even nominated the former Minister Wolfgang Schäuble as President of the Bundestag to make place for the FDP. Such a coalition was the only realistic possibility to form a government (except for a Grand coalition) but had almost never been used before on any regional level in Germany. In November 2017, after midnight, Lindner and his party left the already prolonged negotiations after four unsuccessful weeks, which led to the longest government formation in German history and finally in March 2018 once more to a Grand Coalition with the SPD, which had previously rejected any participation in the new government.
In 2021 Christian Lindner was re-elected federal chairman of the FDP with 93 percent of the vote and at the same time was chosen as the party's top candidate for the federal election.[22]
After the G7 countries announced that they would present strong sanctions against Russia, Lindner stated that they should target Russian oligarchs. He stated: "We are working on further sanctions. I am particularly concerned that the oligarchs should be affected. Those who have profited from Putin and stolen the wealth of the Russian people, including through corruption, should not be allowed to enjoy their prosperity in our Western democracies".[24]
On the night of 24 February 2022, right after Russia started its invasion of Ukraine, Christian Lindner, according to the Ambassador of Ukraine in Germany, told Ukraine's ambassador Andriy Melnyk that "Ukraine has only a few hours" left, so he opposed arms supplies to Kyiv and Russia's disconnection from SWIFT.[25][26] On 17 May 2022, Lindner said he is "politically open to the idea of seizing" the frozen foreign-exchange reserves of the Central Bank of Russia —which amount to over $300 billion— to cover the costs of rebuilding Ukraine after the war.[27]
In August 2022, Lindner announced a "big step" to improve anti-money laundering and sanctions enforcement in germany: he wanted to create a "Federal Financial Criminal Investigation Office" to end the good conditions for money laundering in Germany.[28][29] The GdP warned of fragmented responsibilities and authorities at federal and state levels; rather, Lindner should strengthen the existing Federal Customs Office. To this day there is no "Federal Financial Criminal Investigation Office".[28] Experts criticize that the new agency lacks the authority to seizure suspicious assets by administrative order and the exclusion of tax-related offences from its jurisdiction, according to a draft published until September 2023.[30]
Lindner has been a staunch defender of the constitutionally-enshrined debt brake and seen as reluctant to agree another suspension in 2024.[31]
In 2022, Lindner called for renewed talks over a free trade agreement between the European Union and the United States, aiming to revive discussions on the so-called Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).[46]
Entrepreneurship
In early 2015, an impassioned response to heckling by Lindner, defending entrepreneurs and startup culture made it onto newspaper front pages and became one of the most watched political speeches in months. Lindner was speaking before the state legislature in North Rhine-Westphalia about the importance of entrepreneurship and how failed entrepreneurs deserve a second chance when a Social Democratic member in the audience heckled: "That [failure] is something you have experience in." That was a reference to an Internet company co-founded by Lindner that failed after the dot-com bubble burst in the early 2000s. Lindner responded with a 2½-minute speech, saying: "If one succeeds, one ends up in the sights of the Social Democratic redistribution machinery and, if one fails, one can be sure of derision and mockery." He added that this particular member preferred to have a secure job in public service for his entire life, rather than daring to found a company, and how the message of that heckling attempt was the total opposite of what had been announced just minutes earlier by the president of the state legislature, who also happened to be an SPD member.[47][48]
Bild, the highest-circulation daily newspaper in Germany, praised Lindner on its front page. The Berlin daily Tagesspiegel said the rant offered a welcome contrast to the "persistent fog of alternative-less Merkelism" that characterized debate in the Bundestag.[47] What they were referring to was the situation that because of the narrow defeats of the FDP and the AfD, the opposition in the Bundestag only included left parties. Many policies of Merkel's government directly came from their centre-left coalition partner SPD or were at least negotiated and harmonised with them, and then only left parties reacted on them, who usually criticized that those policies were not enough and advocated for more investment into them or stronger policies but did not oppose them on a principled basis.
Financial policy
Shortly after the 2017 elections, Lindner ruled out taking on new debt to manage the balancing act of cutting income taxes and increasing investment on digital infrastructure. He criticized outgoing Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble for not being tough enough on Greece and not cutting income taxes for middle-class workers.[49]
US-economist Joseph Stiglitz and British economist Adam Tooze criticized in 2021 that Lindners fiscal position, if put into practice, would pose a threat to the economic future of Germany and Europe. They called his positions an “accumulation of conservative clichés” from a “bygone era” that had become obsolete “after three decades of crisis on the financial markets, in geopolitics [and] in the environmental field”.[51]
Personal life
In 2011, Lindner married journalist Dagmar Rosenfeld; they had started dating in 2009.[52][53] On 19 April 2018, they announced their separation.[54] In 2018, he started dating journalist Franca Lehfeldt, whom he married in 2022.[55]
Publications
Editor
Knüppel, Hartmut (2001). Die Aktie als Marke (in German). Frankfurt am Main: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Verl.-Bereich Buch. ISBN978-3-933180-83-4.
Lindner, Christian (14 October 2012). Avatare (in German). Springer. ISBN978-3-642-62397-4.
Rösler, Philipp; Lindner, Christian (25 March 2009). Freiheit: gefühlt - gedacht - gelebt (in German). Wiesbaden: Springer-Verlag. ISBN978-3-531-16387-1.
^(In german: Steuerwettbewerb und Finanzausgleich. Kann die Finanzverfassung reformiert werden?), »Bambi« legt los., Der Spiegel, 29 November 2004.
^Daniel Dettling (Hrsg.): Minima Moralia der nächsten Gesellschaft. Standpunkte eines neuen Generationenvertrags. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden 2009, ISBN978-3-531-16475-5, S. 168.
^Verbindungsoffizier zum Landeskommando. In: Rheinische Post. 26. Juli 2008.
Australian rock band Magic DirtMagic Dirt performing at Big Day Out in 2004Background informationAlso known asThe Jim JimsOriginGeelong, Victoria, AustraliaGenresAlternative rock, grungeYears active1991–2010, 2018–presentLabelsFellaheen, Dirt, Au Go Go, Shock, Warner, Cargo, Various, EmergencyMembersAdalita SrsenRaúl SánchezAdam RobertsonPast membersDean TurnerDaniel HerringDave ThomasWebsitewww.magicdirt.com www.facebook.com/magicdirtofficialpage Magic Dirt is an Australian rock band, whi…
View of the Zadrima Plain Part of a series onAlbanian tribes Tribes and regions Malësia e Madhe Hoti Gruda Kelmendi Shkreli Rrjolli Kastrati Trieshi Koja Marsheni Tuzi Gruemiri Reçi Lohja Lepuroshi Boga Dukagjin highlands Bobi Shala Shoshi Shllaku Dushmani Toplana Mavriqi Mazreku Prekali Pult Kiri Plani Xhani Suma Highlands of Gjakova Krasniqi Nikaj Mërturi Gashi Bytyqi Morina Puka-Mirdita Berisha Mirdita Puka Malziu Thaçi Qerreti Kabashi Selita Dukagjini Upper Drin Hasi Luma Lura Arrëni Di…
For the club's basketball team, see Eastern Sports Club (basketball). Not to be confused with Eastern District SA. Eastern AA redirects here. For the U.S. collegiate athletic conference formerly known as the Eastern Athletic Association, see Atlantic 10 Conference. Football clubEasternFull nameEastern Athletic Association Football Team Limited[1](東方體育會足球隊有限公司)Founded1932; 91 years ago (1932)GroundMong Kok StadiumCapacity6,664Head CoachRoberto Los…
Airport in Jalalabad, AfghanistanJalalabad AirportPashto: د جلال آباد هوايي ډګرView of the airport's control tower in 2008IATA: JAAICAO: OAJLSummaryAirport typePublic / MilitaryOwner AfghanistanOperator Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation[1] Ministry of Defense ServesNangarhar ProvinceLocationJalalabad, AfghanistanBuilt1960s[2]Elevation AMSL1,840 ft / 561 mCoordinates34°24′01″N 70°29′54″E / 34.40028°N 70.49833°…
2007 video game This article is about the video game. For the Nine Inch Nails song that uses this pseudonym, see Head Like a Hole. 2007 video gameHalo 3Developer(s)BungiePublisher(s)Microsoft Game StudiosProducer(s)James McQuillanJoseph TungDesigner(s)Paul BertoneRob StokesTyson GreenProgrammer(s)Chris ButcherHao ChenCharlie GoughZach RussellDrew SolomonBen WallaceArtist(s)Marcus LehtoWriter(s)Joseph StatenRobt McLeesLuke SmithComposer(s)Martin O'DonnellMichael SalvatoriSeriesHaloPlatform(s)Xbox…
Leeton Shire Local Government Area van Australië Locatie van Leeton Shire Council in Nieuw-Zuid-Wales Situering Staat Nieuw-Zuid-Wales Streek Riverina Hoofdplaats Leeton (23-25 Chelmsford Place)[1] Coördinaten 34°33'ZB, 146°24'OL Algemene informatie Oppervlakte 1.167 km² Inwoners 12.026 (2005 Est) Politiek Burgemeester Paul Maytom Overig Website http://leeton.local-e.nsw.gov.au/ Portaal Australië Leeton Shire Council is een Local Government Area (LGA) in de Australisch…
Sheets of greaseproof paper Greaseproof paper is paper that is impermeable to oil or grease, and is normally used in cooking or food packaging. It is usually produced by refining the paper stock[further explanation needed] and thus creating a sheet with very low porosity. This is then passed between hard pressure rollers (supercalendered) to further increase the density, creating a paper called glassine. The glassine is treated with starches, alginates or carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) in…
California county routes in zone E This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: California county routes in zone E – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) California county routes in zone EExample of a California county route shieldHig…
يفتقر محتوى هذه المقالة إلى الاستشهاد بمصادر. فضلاً، ساهم في تطوير هذه المقالة من خلال إضافة مصادر موثوق بها. أي معلومات غير موثقة يمكن التشكيك بها وإزالتها. (يوليو 2017) جمعي فاميلي 2 النوع فكاهي -مغامرات إخراج جعفر قاسم البلد الجزائر لغة العمل عامية جزائرية عدد المواسم 3 عد
Jalur kereta api Saketi–BayahPeta daerah Banten dengan jalur kereta api Saketi–Bayah (1954)IkhtisarJenisJalur lintas cabangSistemJalur kereta api rel ringanStatusTidak beroperasiTerminusSaketiBayahStasiun14OperasiDibangun olehRikuyu SōkyokuDibuka1944Ditutup1951PemilikPT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero)OperatorWilayah Aset I JakartaData teknisPanjang rel89 kmLebar sepur1.067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Jalur kereta api Saketi–Bayah adalah jalur kereta api nonaktif yang menghubungkan S…
British stand-up comedian Omid Djaliliامید جلیلیDjalili at the 2010 Tribeca Film FestivalBorn (1965-09-30) 30 September 1965 (age 58)Chelsea, London, EnglandOccupationsActorcomedianwriterYears active1991–presentSpouse Annabel Knight (m. 1992)Children3Comedy careerMediumFilmstand-uptelevisionSubject(s)Religionraceculturestereotypeshuman interaction Omid Djalili (Persian: امید جلیلی; born 30 September 1965) is an Iranian-British actor, c…
Akademi Penerbang Indonesia BanyuwangiIndonesian Civil Pilot Academy BanyuwangiJenisPerguruan Tinggi KedinasanDidirikan2015 (2015) Balai Pendidikan dan Pelatihan Penerbang Banyuwangi 2018 (2018) Akademi Penerbang BanyuwangiDirekturCapt. Daniel Dewantoro RumaniAlamatJl. Agung Wilis, Rogojampi, Banyuwangi, Jawa Timur, IndonesiaKampusKompleks Bandar Udara BlimbingsariSitus webicpa Hanggar BP3 Banyuwangi Akademi Penerbang Banyuwangi disingkat API Banyuwangi atau lebih dikenal sebagai Sekol…
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Atlantis 1991 film – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) 1991 French filmAtlantisBlu-ray front coverDirected byLuc BessonWritten byLuc BessonProduced byLuc BessonCinematographyLuc BessonM…
British airline Not to be confused with Jersey Airways. Jersey AirlinesJersey Airlines Douglas C-47B Dakota landing at Manchester Airport in 1962 IATA ICAO Callsign JY — — Founded1948Ceased operations1968 (absorbed intoBritish United Island Airways)HubsStates' Airport, JerseyCroydon Airport(November 1948 —May 1958)London Gatwick Airport(May 1958 —31 October 1968)Fleet size13 aircraft(1 Handley Page HPR.7 Dart Herald 200, 2 Handley Page HPR.7 Dart Herald 100, 6 Douglas DC-3 Dakota/C-47 Sk…
Syrian loyalist militia Baqir BrigadeLiwa al-BaqirOne of the Baqir Brigade's logos; the militia also uses other symbols, including the regular Syrian government flag[1][2]LeadersKhalid al-Hassan[1]Dates of operation2012[a]– presentAllegiance SyriaIdeologyShia Islamic jihadist resistance[1][4]Syrian nationalism[5]Anti-Zionism[1]Sizec. 3,000[b]Part of Local Defence ForcesAllies Iran Hezbollah Syrian Democratic Forc…
روبن كريستيانسن معلومات شخصية الميلاد 20 فبراير 1988 (العمر 35 سنة)بودو الطول 1.81 م (5 قدم 11 1⁄2 بوصة) مركز اللعب مدافع الجنسية النرويج معلومات النادي النادي الحالي بران الرقم 21 مسيرة الشباب سنوات فريق Nordreisa IL [الإنجليزية] المسيرة الاحترافية1 سنوات فريق…
Salten Kraftsamband ASTypePrivateIndustryPowerFounded1956HeadquartersFauske, NorwayArea servedSaltenProductsHydroelectricityNumber of employees150 (2007)Websitewww.sks.no Salten Kraftsamband or SKS is a Norwegian power company that operates eight hydroelectric power stations with annual production of 1,770 GWh. Since 1997 the company has also sold power to end-users. Head offices are located in Fauske. Head office in Fauske The company is owned by the City of Bodø (47.72%), Troms Kraft (20.35%)…
Дмитрий Яковлевич Самоквасов ординарный профессор Императорского Варшавского университета.Варшава, 1880-е гг. Дата рождения 15 (27) мая 1843 Место рождения Малотечь, Новгород-Северский уезд, Черниговская губерния, Российская империя Дата смерти 5 (18) августа 1911 (68 лет) Место смер…
1987 video gameBureaucracyDeveloper(s)InfocomPublisher(s)InfocomDesigner(s)Douglas AdamsEngineZ-machinePlatform(s)Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari ST, Commodore 128, DOS, MacintoshReleaseRelease 86: February 12, 1987Release 116: June 2, 1987Genre(s)Interactive fictionMode(s)Single-player Bureaucracy is an interactive fiction video game released by Infocom in 1987, scripted by comic science fiction author Douglas Adams. Infocom's twenty-fourth game, it is part of the Infocom Plus range which r…
أنديرش ليمبار معلومات شخصية الميلاد 24 سبتمبر 1965 (العمر 58 سنة)بلدية سولنا الطول 1.72 م (5 قدم 7 1⁄2 بوصة) مركز اللعب وسط الجنسية السويد معلومات النادي النادي الحالي Sollentuna FK [الإنجليزية](مساعد مدرب) المسيرة الاحترافية1 سنوات فريق م. (هـ.) 1981–1986 برومابويك…