After the state elections in Baden Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, the Chair of the European Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, Anton Hofreiter of the Greens, called for stronger personalisation within his party.
Speaking to the “Tagesspiegel” (Tuesday edition), Hofreiter explained that Cem Özdemir’s victory had shown “how big a difference it makes when you fight for the number one spot”. He added that, “we must shake the SPD to create a true duel”.
Hofreiter dismissed suggestions that the federal Greens should simply copy the Baden‑Württemberg faction, calling such proposals a “silly debate”. Nevertheless, he insisted that personalisation is essential for the party’s campaign. “We need people who are known, whom the public trusts, and who can stand on their own” he said, “while the people want more than speech‑robotic rhetoric that repeats the same lines”.
He further urged the Greens to examine their substantive positions. “We certainly need to clarify certain stances” Hofreiter said, naming issues such as conscription and a proposed “society year”. He outlined his vision for a mandatory society year, arguing that it would be a suitable measure for the present time. “Conscription is bound to return, short‑term or long‑term, because the Bundeswehr faces serious personnel problems” he noted. “A society year that applies to both men and women, which allows individuals to choose the type of service they wish to perform, would be the most progressive option available”.