A spokesperson for the Green Youth, Jakob Blasel, has publicly defended his co-chair, Jette Nietzard, against criticism originating within their own party. In an interview with “Der Spiegel”, Blasel expressed his concern over the intensity of the reaction, stating he found it “totally absurd” how harshly his party was engaging with the controversy.
Nietzard has served as a co-chair of the Green Youth since October of last year, alongside Blasel. She recently sparked significant discussion within the Green party following an Instagram post featuring a sweater bearing the acronym “ACAB” standing for “All cops are bastards.
Blasel articulated a perspective that views controversial actions as potential catalysts for important conversations. “We can take a provocation as an opportunity to talk about how wrong some things are in police work” he explained. While acknowledging potential missteps in how the message was conveyed, he emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue. He declined to comment on the stylistic choices of his co-chair publicly, describing her as a “fighter” who stands by her actions. Furthermore, he noted that numerous men had already publicly commented on the issue, implying further public commentary would be unnecessary and potentially patronizing.
Blasel also voiced criticism regarding reactions from within the party itself. Prominent figures, including Baden-Württemberg’s Minister President Winfried Kretschmann and the Green party’s leading candidate, Cem Özdemir, reportedly suggested Nietzard consider leaving the party in the wake of the ACAB controversy. Blasel characterized this response as primarily a cultural demarcation rather than a substantive debate.