A Business Leader Expresses Fervent Desire for Graf's Leadership in Government Role - Greens press for Graf's leadership as the executive head
The Berlin Greens have made a significant move in their bid to take control of Berlin's city hall, known as the Red City Hall, by announcing Werner Graf as their top candidate for the position of governing mayor in the 2026 state election. Bettina Jarasch, a well-known figure in Berlin politics, will form a team with Graf during the election campaign.
Jarasch, who has previously run as the top candidate for the Berlin Greens in the 2021 and 2023 state elections, is considered a realpolitiker and has faced criticism from some left-leaning Greens. However, she will have the opportunity to address these concerns and more at the Green state committee on October 1st, where she and Graf will be present to answer questions from party members.
The decision to nominate Jarasch and Graf was made by the state board, who have made their intentions clear with this proposal. The vote on this proposal is planned to take place at a party conference on November 22nd.
In the lead-up to the election, there will be several digital discussion formats such as theme salons and office hours in the fall for an exchange with Jarasch and Graf. This will provide members with the opportunity to get to know the potential top candidates better and question them about their plans for the election campaign.
The Berlin Greens believe that they have the chance to finally govern Berlin green in 2026 and address issues such as the climate crisis, transport transition, rent explosion, struggle for democracy, and diverse city society more effectively than the current black-red coalition.
It is important to note that the top candidates for the 2026 Berlin state election, apart from Jarasch and Graf, have not been specified in the available search results. For detailed updates on the Greens' candidates and their campaign plans, it would be advisable to consult official announcements from the Berlin Green Party or recent news sources closer to the election date.
The current governing mayor of Berlin is Kai Wegner from the CDU. The House of Representatives election is scheduled for September 20, 2026, and the Greens have been in opposition since 2023. The decision to nominate Jarasch and Graf earlier than expected, likely aims to avoid prolonged discussions about the topic and give the Greens a head start in their campaign.
Meanwhile, notable Green politician Robert Habeck has expressed intentions related to his career but not specifically about the 2026 Berlin state election. Habeck plans to conduct a series titled "Habeck live" starting in October and has indicated potential international academic engagements, such as at the Danish Institute for International Studies in Copenhagen. He has stepped back from party leadership after the previous election and focused on other activities, suggesting a shift away from direct electoral politics at this moment.
This development marks an exciting time for the Berlin Greens as they gear up for the 2026 state election. With the nomination of Jarasch and Graf, the party is showing its determination to take control of Berlin's city hall and bring about the change that they believe the city needs.
The Berlin Greens' bid for Berlin's city hall involve the European Parliament as well, since the primary candidate for the governing mayor, Werner Graf, may engage in policy-and-legislation discussions at the European Parliament, given Berlin's status as an EC country within the European Union. Meanwhile, Bettina Jarasch, who forms a team with Graf, may face politics-related discourse not only within the Berlin Greens but also at international forums, considering her reputation as a realpolitiker in general-news platforms.
