Alienation contrary to green-black norms is progressing
In the vibrant city of Stuttgart, the state government is currently governed by a green-black coalition, a political alliance between the Green Party (Grüne) and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). This coalition, characterised by its unique blend of environmental and conservative ideologies, is not new to German state politics, often forming to achieve specific policy goals or to secure a majority in state parliaments.
However, the current green-black coalition in Stuttgart is facing a significant challenge in the form of disputes over key legislation, specifically the Climate Protection Act. The Greens, known for their advocacy for aggressive environmental policies, are pushing for robust measures to combat climate change, while the CDU, with its more moderate stance, seems to be less enthusiastic about the proposed measures.
The CDU's reluctance is evident in the lack of involvement in this initiative, as well as the absence of usual interdepartmental coordination or preliminary discussion in the coalition committee. This divergence in views has led to friction within the coalition, making it increasingly difficult to implement major legislative projects in the foreseeable future.
Despite these challenges, key members of the coalition, such as Minister President Winfried Kretschmann and ministers Thekla Walker and Winfried Hermann, are working diligently to find solutions. They recently presented an action plan for climate protection at a press conference, indicating their commitment to addressing climate change despite the internal disagreements.
The state government is still passing laws, albeit with some difficulty. For instance, existing laws such as the Non-Smoker Protection Act and the Regulation Relief Act for municipalities have been implemented. However, the future prospects of the coalition, particularly with regards to the Climate Protection Act, remain uncertain.
The CDU, led by Rafael Binkowski, has expressed great consternation over the initiative, which is primarily aimed at the green voter base. The party leader, along with other CDU members, has been vocal in their criticism of certain policies, such as the cannabis policy and the green-unfavoured proposal to abolish the 41st working hour for civil servants.
Despite these disagreements, there is no immediate interest among the parties involved in the coalition breaking up before the scheduled state election in March 2026. The coalition is navigating these challenges, with Minister President Winfried Kretschmann steering clear of pressure from various groups, including the Green Youth, the left wing, and German Environmental Aid.
As the Climate Protection Act dispute moves towards resolution within the Gremien-Nirvana, it remains to be seen how this coalition will fare in the face of these challenges. The ability of both parties to find common ground and negotiate through their differences will be crucial in determining the coalition's future prospects.
- The management of the Climate Protection Act is a contentious issue within the green-black coalition of Stuttgart's state government, as the Greens advocate for robust measures while the CDU seems less enthusiastic.
- The ongoing disputes over key legislation, namely the Climate Protection Act, have led to friction within the coalition, making it challenging to implement significant legislative projects.
- The future of the green-black coalition in Stuttgart, particularly with regards to the Climate Protection Act, remains uncertain, as both parties navigate their differences and strive to find common ground.
