Franziska Brantner, a leading figure within the Green Party, has cautioned against expectations of a future parliamentary majority formed by a coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Left Party. In remarks to the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, Brantner acknowledged that the combined vote share of those three parties currently represents only a third of the total, making a “red-red-green” coalition a distant prospect.
Beyond the arithmetic, Brantner expressed reservations about substantive alignment with the Left Party, stating they remain “not yet ready to assume responsibility at the federal level”. She contrasted this with the Greens’ commitment to proactive policy implementation rather than mere criticism.
Brantner advocated for a strategic repositioning of the Green Party designed to attract voters across the political spectrum. The party’s ambition, she suggested, should be to maximize its influence on vital issues such as climate protection, social justice and European integration, requiring outreach beyond traditional Green voting bases – including potential engagement with the center-right Christian Union (CDU/CSU).
She emphasized the importance of the Green Party projecting confidence and actively challenging existing narratives. Brantner called for a broadened appeal within the party, urging engagement with individuals who hold differing viewpoints and a willingness to engage in dialogue with those not typically reached by Green messaging. She warned against the dangers of political fragmentation, arguing that retreating into comfortable ideological silos risks exacerbating societal divisions. The imperative, she stated, is for active participation and open communication across the political landscape.