A youth wing of the German Green Party is pushing for a new direction after the party’s significant losses in the recent federal election. The head of the youth organization, Jette Nietzard, told the Süddeutsche Zeitung that the party will be reformed, criticizing the party’s leadership for its handling of left-wing issues. “The Left were elected for things that the Greens have in their election program as well” Nietzard said. “In the election program, there were very good things. That not everything was always the basis of the election campaign, I find regrettable. The top personnel has decided on a different course.”
According to the youth organization, the frustration of young voters with politics in Germany is deep-seated. “Young people feel massively let down” said co-head Jakob Blasel. “The election results among young voters express a desperation about how politics has been made so far.” There is a great desire for “disruption, for a fundamental change.”
In the opposition, the Green Youth hopes for a new role for the Greens. “We can shape societal debates from the opposition and push the government ahead of us” Blasel said. The success of the climate movement in 2019 is seen as a proof for that. However, the Greens need to be bolder in setting social and ecological issues again. “The minimum wage must rise to 15 euros. Rents should not continue to rise. And we must fight for the exit from gas” Blasel demanded.