Franziska Brantner was elected as Green Party leader with around 78 percent

Franziska Brantner is the new co-chair of the Green Party. The delegates at the federal party conference in Wiesbaden elected the Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Economics with 78.15 percent of the vote for a term of office of two years. She belongs to the Realo wing of her party.

Brantner’s opponent from Bayreuth received 14.44 percent. There were 4.2 percent votes against and 3.21 percent abstentions.

Germany needs more investment, said Brantner in her application speech. And: “Tightening your belt doesn’t help if you’re already missing your pants.” She defended the Germany ticket and announced that she would fight for the further promotion of climate-friendly heating systems such as heat pumps.

Brantner dealt against political competition. With a view to the upcoming federal election, she warned of “another standstill crisis”. In her acclaimed speech, CDU leader Friedrich Merz accused her of having an antiquated view of women and demanded: “Stop this dinosaur thinking!” BSW boss Sahra Wagenknecht called her a “pseudo-socialist top earner” who should not accuse the Greens of being a party for the higher earners.

The 45-year-old will retain her position in Robert Habeck’s Federal Ministry of Economics until further notice. Due to the early elections, the government has decided not to fill any positions of parliamentary state secretaries, Brantner told the DPA news agency. “Robert Habeck has therefore asked me to remain in office until the end of the legislative period so that business can be conducted properly. This responsibility I’ll take a stand for the remaining weeks.” The federal election is scheduled for February 23rd.

Brantner has been a member of the Bundestag since 2013 after several years as a member of the European Parliament. She comes from Baden-Württemberg, studied in Paris and New York and has a doctorate in social sciences from the University of Mannheim.