Free Voters of Bavaria

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Free Voters of Bavaria (Freie Wähler Bayern) are a centre-right political force in Bavaria, Germany. They present themselves as pragmatic, locally focused, and willing to work across party lines. They have been part of Bavaria’s government since the 2018 state election in a coalition with the Christian Social Union (CSU).

Two related bodies share the Free Voters name in Bavaria: the Bavarian State Association of Free and Independent Voters (an umbrella group for local voter groups) and the Bavarian state chapter of the nationwide Free Voters party. They are legally independent but work closely together; local voter groups operate largely on their own, while the party structure coordinates state-level participation in elections.

Hubert Aiwanger has led the Free Voters since 2018 and serves as Deputy Minister-President of Bavaria. The party originated from independent voter groups formed across Bavarian towns and districts, grew into a state association in 1978, and became a political party in 1997. It first entered the Bavarian state parliament in 1998 and rose to become the third largest group by 2008. In 2018 they joined the Bavarian government for the first time.

Ideology and approach
- The Free Voters describe themselves as centre-right and not tightly bound to any single party program. They emphasize practical, local policy and direct democracy, aiming to solve everyday problems in municipalities and districts. They seek cross-party cooperation and often prioritize issues that affect local communities.

Key policy areas
- Education: They pushed for major reform, including restoring the traditional nine-year Gymnasium (G9) and abolishing tuition fees in Bavaria. They also advocate free nurseries and greater funding for schools and universities. Michael Piazolo has served as Bavaria’s Minister of Education and Culture since 2018.
- Energy and environment: They support renewable energy and CO2 reduction, want to promote electric mobility, and oppose certain large infrastructure projects like new power lines.
- Transport and rural policy: They favor making transport more eco-friendly (including a diesel ban in some contexts) and strengthening services in rural areas, such as preserving hospitals and birth clinics.
- Taxes and local governance: They helped abolish the Straba street-improvement tax and focus on supporting rural communities and local infrastructure.
- Immigration: They are not opposed to refugees but stress the importance of quick and fair integration. They critique some aspects of federal migrant policy and favor a more selective approach to migration, including a points-based system similar to Canada or Australia for non-refugee entrants. They support humane handling of those fleeing violence and persecution, while aiming to prevent economic migration from becoming a burden on the system.
- European and funding stance: Ulrike Müller serves as a Member of the European Parliament for the Free Voters, aligned with the European Democratic Party (EDP) and ALDE. The party supports a “Europe of strong regions,” more direct democracy, and less red tape. Like other German parties that reach the electoral threshold, the Free Voters receive state funding based on their vote share and do not accept corporate donations, a point emphasized by leader Aiwanger.

In Bavaria today
- The Free Voters are a coalition partner in the Bavarian government and hold a distinct, locally oriented platform within the state. They pride themselves on being a coalition of independents who come together for elections to tackle practical issues, from schools and hospitals to farms and transport. Their approach remains pragmatic and regionally focused, with a willingness to cooperate across party lines to achieve tangible improvements for Bavarian communities.