The Berlin Greens have had a tough time electing new leadership lately, but it seems the ordeal is finally over. With a broad majority, Nina Stahr and Philmon Ghirmai are now steering the party ship. The vote was seen as an opportunity to put an end to internal squabbles and breathe some much-needed fresh air into the party.
Things got heated during the party conference, with Tanja Prinz's bid for state chair failing three times. The incident left a sour taste, and Stahr apologized for her treatment, calling it unbefitting of a feminist party. Stahr, a Realo wing member, had raised questions about her ability to hold both the party office and her Bundestag seat, given the party's constitution regarding separation of office and mandate.
Turns out, the delegates had no qualms about Stahr's dual role, and she earned a whopping 127 votes out of 144. Philmon Ghirmai, an incumbent state chairman since 2021, also saw a majority of votes, specifically 103 out of 140. Ghirmai hails from the Neukölln district and belongs to the party left.
Stahr is committed to mending internal fissures and addressing the controversy surrounding an open letter from several district associations that had criticized Prinz's supporters for fostering a culture of mistrust and intimidation. The fact that such allegations were public needs to be addressed, along with the rationale behind writing the controversial letter, which was signed by nine out of twelve district associations.
Moving forward, Stahr and Ghirmai aim to engage with the local community with a series of parties, promoting their green agenda. The Green party has long been championing gender equality, environmental policies, and green initiatives in Berlin. Under their leadership, we can expect more of the same.
As the Green party navigates the politics of Berlin, their goal remains clear: advocating for a greener and more equitable future. The past week's drama notwithstanding, the party remains steadfast in its mission to leave a lasting impact on its city and its people. This time, it's likely they'll do it together.
