Following the decision by Green Youth co-leader Jette Nietzard not to seek re-election, prominent Green politician and former Consumer Protection Minister Renate Künast is advocating for improved dialogue between the youth wing and the main party. “Her decision must now absolutely prompt a fresh start in communication on both sides” Künast told the Spiegel.
Künast stated she had previously offered criticism of Nietzard, describing it as a natural part of political discourse. “But from a human perspective, you should neither shout at someone nor leave them to stand alone” the Green politician added. The 26-year-old Nietzard recently explained in a video that she had been booed and shouted at by party members.
Nietzard had repeatedly faced internal criticism for controversial statements, with some leading Green politicians suggesting she consider leaving the party. Her co-leader, Jakob Blasel, lamented that instead of engaging with Nietzard’s arguments, “people from within the party preferred to publicly attack an individual”.