Progressive People's Party (Germany)

The Progressive People's Party (German: Fortschrittliche Volkspartei, FVP) was a liberal political party in Germany during the German Empire. It was formed in 1867 as a merger of the German Progress Party (Deutsche Fortschrittspartei) and the more moderate left-liberal faction of the National Liberal Party.

The FVP advocated for a constitutional monarchy with a strong parliament and greater civil liberties. It opposed Otto von Bismarck's policies, particularly his military spending and authoritarian tendencies. The party drew its support primarily from urban, middle-class voters, including intellectuals, professionals, and businessmen. They generally favoured free trade and a limited role for the state in the economy.

Prominent members of the Progressive People's Party included Eugen Richter, Albert Hänel, and Max von Forckenbeck. Richter, in particular, was a powerful speaker and a fierce critic of Bismarck.

Despite its initial strength, the Progressive People's Party faced challenges from both the conservatives and the rising socialist movement. Internal divisions and electoral setbacks led to its decline. In 1910, the FVP merged with the Free-minded Union and the German People's Party to form the Progressive Union (Fortschrittliche Volkspartei), a short-lived alliance that aimed to unify liberal forces against the growing strength of socialist and conservative factions. This new party then went on to play a role in the Reichstag until the end of the German Empire.