Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner stands by his Porsche and his wedding on Sylt last year, which critics criticized as ostentatious. “I am committed to it – yes, fully,” said the FDP federal chairman yesterday evening at the “Ständehaus-Treff” of the “Rheinische Post” (RP) in Düsseldorf. “Ten years ago, I bought a 42-year-old Porsche with the money I earned, not given, not inherited, not stolen,” he said.
“I’ll go even further: Last year I paid for my wedding on Sylt with my own money. – And you know what? Anyone who has a problem with Porsche, Sylt or something else: There are so many parties, then you can choose another one .”
“I would do it the same way again”
When asked by RP editor-in-chief Moritz Döbler whether Lindner still finds the pictures of his wedding appropriate from today’s perspective, the liberal assured: “Absolutely. I will not allow the most private life events to be censored by any media.” They were not invited to Sylt to report on his wedding.
The minister explained that he works a lot. “I’m running my heels off. But at the end of the day, I’m also an independent personality with my own life.” His wedding celebration was by no means too much. “I would do it the same way again and again.”
Lindner said about his humble origins in Wuppertal: “I didn’t have any wealth.” At that time he neither attended private schools nor enjoyed any stays abroad. But he had a good childhood, “a family that says we believe in you, we love you – and I got a positive idea of achievement.”
To the career highlight?
About his marriage to the TV journalist Franca Lehfeldt, the FDP leader said that at some point he would have her back so that she could further advance her career. Lehfeldt is leaving the news channel Welt TV on October 31st. The media company Axel Springer announced that she would remain a freelance journalist and become self-employed with a communications and marketing agency.
When Döbler asked whether he believed he had reached his career peak, Lindner hesitated for a long time before answering and then said: “In fact, as far as positions are concerned, I can no longer achieve anything as FDP chairman.” Since “according to human judgment” he is unlikely to become chancellor, he is probably at the peak of his career.
But he himself would define it completely differently. His career peak is reached when he achieves things that are important to him. This includes being able to do a fully automated tax return completely digitally via an app, with artificial intelligence filling everything out correctly in the end and all you have to do is press a button, the liberal enthused. “And that’s my promise. This will be my career highlight.” However, not in this legislative period, he added.
