Katharina Dröge: She is the top group of the Greens

“We measure their politics in reality. That is what we are here for,” said Katharina Dröge, chairman of the Greens parliamentary group, yesterday in a remarkable speech towards Friedrich Merz. The appearance went viral on social media, over 18,000 likes the short video reached Instagram.

A day later, this reality also arrived at Friedrich Merz. In a tough struggle, he has secured the Greens’ consent to the black and red billion-dollar package. However, the planned special fund for the infrastructure, in which climate issues initially only got margins, has received a clear green color. A whopping 100 billion, it provides for the agreement, should now flow into the climate measures. In addition, the green negotiators have enforced it, it is to ensure that the money actually flows into wind turbines, dilapidated bridges and digitization, and that it is by no means redeemed by CDU/CSU and SPD.

A success for which – probably also through her remarkable speech 24 hours earlier – Katharina Dröge was largely responsible. In the midst of the past turbulent days, she proved to be a clever tactor, sharp-tongued Merz critic-and finally took over state-political responsibility.

But who is this woman?

Dröge has been the leader of the Greens since 2021. “I am a Cologne native and represent Chorweiler, Nippes and Ehrenfeld in the Bundestag,” wrote the might born in Münster. Dröge celebrates her 41st birthday on September 16. Her zodiac sign is a virgin. The 40-year-old grew up in the tranquil Ladbergen in the Münsterland. Until her Abitur in summer 2004 at Count Adolf Gymnasium Tecklenburg, she lived there with her parents and brother.

She was interested in politics early on: “This is the most important and most beautiful task I can imagine,” she says. At the age of 16, she joined the Green Youth in 2000. “I chose the Greens because I was convinced- and I am- that there is no other party in Germany that pursues the topics of environmental and climate protection with the necessary consequence, persistence and innovation,” she writes.

“After that, I was drawn to the study of economics in Cologne – into the city, which has now become my homeland,” it says – a decision that should influence her further political career. And one more she lets her know: “Until I moved to Cologne, I couldn’t do much with carnival. Now I love him!”

After graduating as a graduate economist in autumn 2010, she joined the Ministry of Environment and Consumer Protection in NRW as a consultant. At the age of 28 she came to the German Bundestag in 2013. Dröge was chosen for the mandate in the constituency of Cologne III in NRW via the state list. She is a chairwoman in the committee of economy and energy and spokeswoman for competition policy.

Her everyday life with politics and family is challenging, she admits. As a mother of two, she tries to do her best every day, she reveals. To refuel, drawn loves to go for a walk. “The view of the water is incredibly relaxing for me.” Nevertheless, there is no time to read books, watch films or listen to music.

In her speech on Thursday, too, she dealt with today’s importance of today’s politics for the well -being of her children. She writes on X: “Contradictions that risk the future of our children: The Union holds on to a policy that does not think of the morning.”

Thanks to her, you may move into the future federal government a little tomorrow.