The German Green Party faces an internal reckoning as its leaders in Bavaria and Hesse issue a stark warning ahead of the upcoming federal party conference in Hanover. A newly released position paper, obtained by “Der Spiegel”, calls for a fundamental reassessment of the party’s political strategy to avoid retreating into a perceived ideological niche.
Katharina Schulze and Mathias Wagner, the respective parliamentary group leaders, argue that a rapidly changing global landscape demands a corresponding adaptation of the Greens’ approach. They insist that this isn’t a question of abandoning core values – environmental protection, climate action and nature conservation will remain central – but rather a necessary recalibration to ensure these values remain relevant and impactful within a transformed world.
The paper directly addresses the risk of ideological narrowing, cautioning against a self-imposed limitation of scope. They point out that the urgency of issues such as climate change – intensified by what they characterize as the current federal government’s insufficient engagement – cannot be ignored or sidestepped. “We simply cannot allow ourselves to retreat, even if we wanted to” the leaders state, implicitly criticizing a potential inward focus.
Crucially, Schulze and Wagner reject the notion that the Greens can selectively choose the issues they prioritize. The political agenda, they maintain, will be largely determined by the actions of the federal government and prevailing societal developments. This recognition comes with a demand that the party actively fill a perceived void left by the CDU/CSU and SPD, consistently offering concrete proposals and contributing to the broader national conversation.
The leaders provide specific examples, urging the Greens to engage forcefully in debates surrounding Bundeswehr reform, pension policy and affordable housing, stressing the need for rapid and well-articulated proposals.
Beyond strategic direction, the paper also delivers a sharp critique of internal party discourse. Schulze and Wagner lament that internal debates often overshadow core messages, leading to overly complex explanations and a dissipation of vital energy needed to tackle pressing challenges. They accuse the party of sometimes being “unnecessarily complicated” and failing to maintain a clear overarching vision.
The federal party conference, taking place from November 28th to 30th, promises to be a pivotal moment for the Greens, with a key climate protection proposal expected to be debated and potentially adopted. The position paper’s call for strategic realignment suggests a potentially contentious conference as the party grapples with its role and direction within the increasingly complex German political landscape.