He left the FDP with many left liberal party members in 1982 , because the FDP left the government of Chancellor Helmut Schmidt .
Verheugen was Secretary General of the FDP from 1978 to 1982 , under the leadership of the party 's chairman Hans - Dietrich Genscher .
Verheugen left the FDP with many left liberal party members in 1982 , because the FDP left the government of Chancellor Helmut Schmidt .
Verheugen was Secretary General of the FDP from 1978 to 1982 , under the leadership of the party 's chairman Hans - Dietrich Genscher .