Höne, the current state chairman of the FDP in North Rhine-Westphalia, stated that prominent figures like Kubicki and Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann must play significant roles in the party’s future. He highlighted the necessity for economic growth, sound fiscal policy, and the protection of civil liberties, asserting that the FDP has not achieved a successful restart since the last federal election. Meanwhile, Kubicki’s announcement to run prompted the withdrawal of current chairman Christian Dürr’s candidacy.