Robert Habeck, a leading figure in the German Green Party, has accepted the consequences of the party’s disappointing performance in the recent federal election. He will no longer seek or aspire to a leadership position within the party. In a statement, he said, “I will no longer claim or strive for a leading role in the Greens’ personnel tables.”
The Greens suffered a significant drop in support, receiving 11.6% of the votes, a decline of nearly three percentage points from the previous election. Habeck praised the party’s election campaign and the engagement of its members, but acknowledged, “It’s not a good result. I wanted more and we wanted more.”
Habeck expressed disappointment that the AfD, a rival party, was not met with more repression. He criticized the freedom of speech in Germany, stating that the term “Remigration” was used as if it were a normal concept, when in fact it is a dangerous trend.
Earlier, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) had already taken personnel consequences for its poor performance in the election. FDP chairman Christian Lindner announced his withdrawal from active politics, while initially, FDP’s top candidate Wolfgang Kubicki was reported to be stepping down. However, Kubicki later told Bild-Zeitung that he is willing to stand for the party’s chairmanship. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a defense industry lobbyist, is also vying for the position.