German Green party’s candidate for Chancellor, Robert Habeck, has expressed surprise at the influx of support at the party’s campaign events. “I see that there is a curiosity and interest, and I’m also wondering how that came to be, because we did start very strongly in the minus and suddenly there is a influx, a support that breaks all expectations” Habeck said in an interview with “RTL Aktuell”.
“I believe it’s because the country is hungry for a positive, hopeful approach” he added, stating that he is trying to live by that. He will only address the question of a potential government coalition after the election. “The most loved alliance for me would be a Green-Red government, but I know that that is now beyond the realm of possibility” Habeck said.
For a coalition with the Union, he would also have to reconcile with the CSU leader Markus Söder, who has repeatedly ruled out a coalition with the Greens. While he would be willing to have a beer with Söder, his enthusiasm for the idea is limited. “We once had a relationship where we could get along” Habeck said, recalling that they would exchange messages, such as “Hey, I’m just there, do you want to call or meet up?” But that has since become “a bit worn out” according to the Green party politician. He, however, places the responsibility for the deterioration of their relationship on Söder’s side.