FDP: Coup or “pointless”? Strack-Zimmermann locations election promoting in Times Square | EUROtoday

Status: 22:14 | Reading time: 3 minutes

NNormally, this place is reserved for the large names within the enterprise world. At Times Square, the glittering sq. in the midst of the US metropolis of New York, ads from corporations equivalent to Coca-Cola and Levi's flicker throughout gigantic LED screens day by day. On Wednesday night (native time), nevertheless, an uncommon picture lit up Times Square for a number of seconds: the FDP's prime candidate for the European elections, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, and her 29-year-old occasion colleague from the Young Liberals, Phil Hackemann.

And simply as the 2 politicians are most likely little identified to Americans, their message is unlikely to have been obtained nicely both. “Not just old men” was the slogan emblazoned in outsized letters on the 1,670 sq. meter display – and in German.

The photograph in Times Square was most likely meant to be one thing of a small election marketing campaign coup for the 2 FDP candidates. The Liberals have numerous catching as much as do within the upcoming European elections, they’re caught at 4 % within the polls. Strack-Zimmermann and Hackemann have been positive to draw numerous consideration with the motion – hardly in New York, however primarily on social media. At least the prices have been manageable.

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From Strack-Zimmermann's viewpoint, the motion ought to illustrate the significance of transatlantic relations. “Europe must continue to work closely with the USA, also in order not to be left behind in international competition by autocratic systems such as China,” she stated in a press release. “We therefore want to intensify our cooperation in NATO, in which European security policy will always be embedded.” But it should even be clear that Europe can’t at all times rely solely on the USA because it did previously, stated Strack-Zimmermann.

In addition to the mere image of transatlantic friendship, the 2 FDP politicians have been additionally enthusiastic about potential voters. “With our action in Times Square, we wanted to reach the many Germans in the USA who can also vote there in the German embassy,” added Hackemann.

Criticism hails on social media

However, the 15-second marketing campaign has been met with criticism on social media. “If my membership fees are being wasted so unnecessarily, I think I'll give up on the membership,” wrote one consumer on the “X” platform.

Others described the marketing campaign as “senseless vanity” or “purely for the ego”. And some doubt the usefulness of the marketing campaign. “What is the point of an advertisement in New York for the EU election?” requested one consumer. Some have already introduced that they’ll now not vote for the FDP due to this election promoting.

In the previous, German politicians haven’t solely had optimistic experiences with their staging within the glittering Times Square. At the peak of his profession, the then Federal Minister of Economics Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (CSU), for instance, posed for the cameras at evening within the obtrusive gentle of the celebrated sq.. The photograph caught in individuals's minds – and at present it represents the speedy rise and fall of a political pop star.

Whether the flickering of their faces throughout the LED display helped or harmed the 2 FDP candidates will solely turn into clear on the poll field. The European elections started in some nations this Thursday, and in Germany voters can forged their votes on Sunday.

In any case, the promoting was most likely low-cost. A 15-second spot on the 1670 sq. meter display prices as little as 40 {dollars} – considerably cheaper than many would assume. The FDP confirmed the quantity when requested by WELT. And FDP members don't have to fret about losing their membership charges both. Hackemann informed WELT that he had paid for the advert from his non-public marketing campaign finances.