(de-news.net) – At the Green Party’s federal conference in Wiesbaden, Franziska Brantner and Felix Banaszak were elected as the new co-leaders of the party. Brantner, who currently serves as Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, received 78% of the votes from the delegates, while Banaszak, a Bundestag member, secured 93%. The election follows the resignation of the previous leadership after a series of disappointing results in state elections held in September. The newly elected leadership, which includes a re-elected six-member executive board, now faces the task of preparing for the upcoming federal elections in February 2025. Robert Habeck, Germany’s current Vice Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, was nominated as the Green Party’s candidate for Chancellor, reinforcing the party’s commitment to its climate agenda.
In her speech, Brantner emphasized the need for substantial investments in education and infrastructure, particularly to address long-standing issues in these areas. She criticized the opposition Union parties for undermining efforts to combat climate change, warning that such actions jeopardize not only environmental sustainability but also Germany’s future economic prosperity. Brantner argued that advancing climate protection policies is integral to securing a resilient and sustainable economy, framing it as the party’s foremost priority.
Banaszak, for his part, highlighted the importance of robust internal debate within the party, describing it as a sign of a healthy and dynamic political organization. He asserted that a party that avoids difficult discussions would be a “dead party.” Banaszak also reaffirmed that the Green Party would not tailor its federal election campaign to accommodate potential coalition partners but would instead focus on its core policy areas, including climate protection, migration, and transportation policy. While acknowledging some public uncertainty surrounding the Green Party’s role within the current traffic light coalition, particularly with regard to contentious policies like the heating law, Banaszak expressed pride in the coalition’s achievements, particularly in navigating the energy crisis during the winter of 2022/2023.
The conference also includes the formal nomination of Habeck as the Green Party’s candidate for Chancellor. With this new leadership team in place, the Green Party seeks to revitalize its position in the political landscape by focusing on key policy areas and presenting itself as a strong force in the upcoming electoral contest.
