The German Green Party is voicing escalating concerns over the current coalition government’s climate policies, signaling a deepening rift within the ruling alliance. Katharina Dröge, parliamentary group leader for the Greens in the Bundestag, delivered a scathing critique in an interview with Watson on Tuesday, stating she anticipated stagnation, but instead witnesses a “genuine regression” in key areas.
Dröge’s remarks centered on perceived reversals in the expansion of renewable energy sources, a stasis in the promotion of electric mobility and a concerning lack of progress regarding the transition to alternative heating systems. She argues these setbacks are detrimental to Germany’s industrial competitiveness, undermine the nation’s climate protection goals and ultimately drive up costs for citizens. “We are not moving forward, but significantly backward” she asserted.
The criticism wasn’t isolated to Dröge. Bundestag Vice-President Omid Nouripour, also of the Green Party, chimed in, offering a comparative analysis that, while seemingly backhanded, highlighted the perceived shortcomings of the current government. He conceded that the previous Merz/Klingbeil administration was arguably worse and praised the communication style of Chancellor Olaf Scholz against the backdrop of Friedrich Merz’s approach. It’s a nuanced assessment suggesting even past political landscapes appear more favorable when contrasted with the present.
Looking ahead, Green Party leader Felix Banaszak emphasized the importance of emotional engagement in connecting with the electorate, stating that logical arguments alone are insufficient. He described 2025 as a period of learning, suggesting a need for a recalibration of the party’s messaging and outreach strategies. Banaszak also confirmed extensive travel plans for 2026, a year anticipated to be a critical election year, emphasizing the importance of direct engagement with citizens throughout the country. This planned outreach may be a response to the rising discontent within the Green Party itself regarding the government’s climate policy trajectory and broader political direction. The increasingly vocal criticism from within the Green Party underscores the fragility of the coalition and foreshadows a potentially turbulent lead-up to the 2026 elections.