On the sixth anniversary of the Hanau shooting, the Green Youth has criticised the parent party for not taking a sufficiently hard stance against racism and extremism. Green Youth chief Luis Bobga told the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” that hearing Green politicians today say that Hanau must never happen again is difficult to take seriously. “When a party adorns itself with flowery words about diversity and anti‑racism as long as it’s convenient, while still neglecting necessary police reforms and extremism prevention that it could have implemented, it shows a clear lack of action” Bobga said.
Bobga also criticized the Hessian Greens for their part in the handling of the incident. “In Hesse they carried governmental responsibility, yet the investigation was delayed and mistakes were downplayed” he added. “Those who promise solidarity must also demonstrate it. In Hanau the loyalty-once more-seemed directed at the coalition partner instead of the victims of racist violence”. He called on the Greens to show through concrete political actions that they have truly learned from Hanau; Instagram reels and polished statements alone have never been enough.
For context, the attack took place on 19 February 2020 when a 43‑year‑old German shot nine people motivated by racism, and afterwards killed his mother and himself.