The Free Democrats recorded their best ever result during the last Bundestag election, winning almost 15 percent of the vote. But since September support for the party has slid dramatically.Voters blame the FDP for the rocky start to the centre right government’s term in office. FDP leader Guido Westerwelle has gone on the offensive by provoking a polemical debate on the welfare state. But the FDP is facing a tough challenge in May elections in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.