Holger Zastrow leaves the FDP due to dissatisfaction with Berlin politics

The former Saxon FDP leader Holger Zastrow wants to turn his back on his party. Corresponding media reports were confirmed by the state association of the Free Democrats on Tuesday upon request. Zastrow himself could not initially be reached for further questions.

The 55-year-old spoke to the "Bild" newspaper about a long process of alienation. "It hurts my soul, but it's no longer possible. I can no longer stand Berlin politics," he said. "Sächsische.de" also reported on his resignation from the party. Despite all the criticism, the reason for his move was not the policy of the Saxon FDP state association or that of the FDP in Dresden, but the policy of the FDP in the traffic light, it said. Above all, the merger of the Liberals with the Greens was a no-go.

Saxon FDP Secretary General Philipp Hartewig thanked Zastrow for his "unique commitment", but also looked back on the recent past. "His alienation from the FDP had become more visible in recent years. Nevertheless, we very much regret his intention to leave, because you can't really imagine a Holger Zastrow without the FDP." His resignation is a great loss for the Free Democrats, both politically and personally.

Zastrow is considered a veteran of the Saxon Liberals. He co-founded the up-and-coming organization Jungliberale Aktion in Dresden at the time of reunification. In 1999, he took over as chairman of the FDP after it crashed in the state elections that year with 1.1 percent of the vote.

Zastrow led the Saxony FDP for 20 years and was also its parliamentary group leader in the state parliament from 2004 to 2014. From 2009 to 2014, the FDP was in a coalition with the CDU in the Free State. Between 2011 and 2013, Zastrow was Vice-Chairman of the Free Democrats. He is currently a city councillor for the FDP in Dresden.