Youth Greens Exit Over Party's Social Policy Direction

The Green Party in Germany is facing a significant internal crisis as numerous members of its youth wing, the Young Greens, exit the party. The discontent stems from the party's perceived drift away from leftist and socially progressive policies.

Critics argue that the Green Party has compromised too much and failed to prioritize social justice and wealth redistribution. This discord has led to the resignation of the entire board of the Young Greens in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), along with similar exits in other federal states like Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Lower Saxony.

The departing members are planning to establish a new leftist movement to address these issues more directly. They believe that stronger social policies are essential for gaining broader support for climate protection.

The Green Party's leadership acknowledges the need for a more social focus. Members such as Karoline Otte from Lower Saxony advocate for integrating social issues into their core agenda to win majorities for climate initiatives.

Despite the turmoil, some factions within the Young Greens, like in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, have decided to remain with the party, although they share similar criticisms. As the Green Party navigates this upheaval, it aims to address internal concerns and realign its policies to better reflect its foundational values of social justice and environmental sustainability.