After the collective resignation of its board, the Green party youth has reorganized itself. What do the new chairmen stand for? And how do you view the Greens?
In terms of personnel, the most important decisions have now been made for the Green Youth: The youth organization has a new leadership duo. Around 84.5 percent voted for 25-year-old Jette Nietzard as the new chairwoman at the federal congress in Leipzig. Shortly afterwards, 24-year-old Jakob Blasel was elected with around 74.6 percent. In their speeches, the co-chairs called for, among other things, more efforts in climate protection, a humane asylum policy and social justice. They also sharply attacked the Greens and the federal government.
Criticism of the “godless compromises” of the traffic light coalition
Blasel studies law and environmental sciences in Lüneburg and is one of the better-known faces of the Fridays for Future climate movement. He criticized the fact that social justice was not on the agenda in the traffic light coalition.
It cannot be the case that the federal government fails to implement a social and ambitious heating transition or a cheap and good railway, he emphasized. “No matter what ungodly compromises the traffic light deems appropriate, no matter how much it hopes we’ll just accept it, we won’t look the other way.”
Nietzard to the Greens: “You build them too – the shit”
Nietzard is also active in the Berlin Greens and is committed to refugees. She emphasized that many in the Green Youth were disappointed with the traffic light coalition. “When people in the federal government tell me that we need upper limits, that we need to deport people more quickly, then I want to shout at them: We don’t need upper limits, we need human dignity.”
Addressing the Greens, she said: “You build them too – the shit.” She expects the party not to make lazy compromises, but to stand up for human rights, climate protection and social justice.
Even if others might have given up on the Green Youth: “We’re just not done here yet,” said Nietzard. “The feared downfall remains nothing more than a small dent in our strong association,” emphasized Blasel.
Why the old board is leaving
At the end of September, things happened in quick succession for the Greens: First, the entire federal executive board of the party, headed by co-chairs Omid Nouripour and Ricarda Lang, announced that they would be resigning in November. Shortly afterwards, the ten-member board of the Green Youth declared that they would not run again and would resign from the party.
The reason: too little left-wing profile among the Greens, too many compromises in the traffic light coalition. The decision was made before the announcement of the resignation of the party executive, explained the leadership of the youth organization around Svenja Appuhn and Katharina Stolla at the time. After the end of their official duties at this federal congress, they also wanted to leave the Green Youth and found a “new, decidedly left-wing youth association,” it was said.
What kind of reactions that provoked
The young dropouts advertise their project under the slogan “Time for something new.” Dozens of members from numerous state associations of the Green Youth have also announced their departure and joined them, as can be seen from the project’s Instagram profile. The majority of the Green Youth criticized the move and the work of their old board on Friday evening.
What is the relationship with the Greens?
The Green Youth is traditionally left-wing – but could move a little closer to the party again with the withdrawal of the old board. The aim must be to influence the Greens and “enter the conversation,” said Blasel. In the evening, it is not just party leader Ricarda Lang who will speak to the hundreds of participants. Felix Banaszak is also expected to take over the leadership of the Green Party together with Franziska Brantner.
Information about the Federal Congress
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
