The German Greens are undergoing a significant reshaping as they prepare for upcoming electoral battles. At their Federal Party Conference, the party is set to elect a new board, with Omid Nouripour likely to emerge as party leader, alongside Emily Büning as Federal Managing Director of Politics. New party chairs Franziska Brantner and Felix Banaszak are expected to lead the charge. Meanwhile, Robert Habeck has been nominated as a chancellor candidate for the federal election, sharing the candidacy with Annalena Baerbock. Ricarda Lang is stepping down as co-party leader amid farewells.
The conference, attended by over 3,700 registered delegates, is also drawing attention due to calls from climate activist group Fridays for Future for a stronger commitment to climate protection. This comes as the party faces internal debates over issues like the traffic light coalition and the destruction of Lützerath.
The party is facing a crisis in public opinion, particularly in eastern Germany, where their strategy has failed to resonate with voters. Recent polls indicate a significant portion of the electorate is disillusioned with the Greens, marking a stark contrast to their previous standing.
In parallel developments, Tobias Lindner is set to become the government's Transatlantic Coordinator, taking over from FDP's Michael Link. This change follows the breakdown of the traffic light coalition.
The Greens are also experiencing a surge in new memberships, with over 9,000 new entrants since the coalition's end, indicating a renewed interest in the party's future direction. Despite these challenges, the Greens are poised to embark on a reform agenda that seeks to address both internal and external criticisms.
