Chat with Felix Banaszak, Green Party Chief: "Green Victories on the Horizon"
- by Lisa Becke
- 5 Min
Green Party Head: Views Electoral Wins of the Left as Motivating Success - Left-wing advocate expresses optimism over election victory of progressive parties
Hey there, Mr. Banaszak! So, they've got a paper saying it's not easy being a green party... really? If it were easy, anyone could join the party!
... but apparently, green parties in various EU countries win votes when the economy is booming. That means the Greens are like feel-good parties, but in tough times, there's little to gain. Right now, we're dealing with inflation worries and war threats. Things are tense, and it's understandable, but we need to get the climate crisis back in the spotlight and establish our competence in other areas to gain trust.
With Robert Habeck and Annalena Baerbock stepping down, your party lost two of its most prominent members. Don't worry about finding the next headliner, though. Instead, we'll grow our party and revise our program for the new era. We'll start making these plans during our state council this Sunday.
Are the Greens moving away from hardcore political dealings with Habeck and Baerbock stepping back? Negotiations shift based on the times, and I don't think we should oversimplify it. We've been negotiating constructively for the country, as we have with the financial package.
Are the Greens turning more left now? During the election, many voters didn't understand our stance. To avoid further confusion, we'll focus on being "greener" and recognized while still reaching people who haven't previously identified as Green. Some might label this move "left" because we're being clear, or "realpolitik" because we're seeking majorities. I'd rather not oversimplify it that way.
In the past, the Greens were too accommodating and didn't fight hard enough for their values. Of course, we want to implement our ideas and pursue government responsibility, but not at any cost. Compromises are made at the end of negotiations, not the beginning.
Now that you're in opposition, don't expect us to treat Friedrich Merz gently. It seems like the Union and SPD might form an anti-ecological coalition, so it's crucial to have a strong opposition in place.
The goal of making the Greens a "people's party" in recent years hasn't gone according to plan, with only 11.6% of the vote. I wonder if the concept of "people's party" still applies. The SPD is at a record low, and the Union managed just 28% against the most unpopular government this country has ever seen. We aim to deliver impactful, relatable politics that can shape the country again, perhaps even lead it.
Do you think it's realistic for the Greens to reach over 20%? It's early to talk about percentages, four years before the next election. However, we refuse to relinquish our claim to be the dominant force shaping the left-center.
We'll work on making our politics resonate with everyday life and reducing prejudices. Many people expressed that the Greens know what people genuinely care about during the election campaign. Our goal is to strengthen this and develop our policies based on everyday life experiences.
Are you still planning to visit all sorts of places, like pubs, cafés, and even shooting festivals? Absolutely! I want to reach more people from diverse backgrounds, not just in major cities. We'll become a party that's always on the move and make appearances in all parts of the country.
You'll find some stiff competition on the opposition bench with a stronger Left Party, to which you've lost some votes. What's your game plan? Frankly, I'm concerned that some voters who might have otherwise voted for us preferred the Left at the last minute. But to be honest, the Left isn't my primary concern. I see their electoral success as encouraging. We're not dealing with a one-sided shift to the right but a desire for progressive alternatives. The Greens have to deliver them.
Do you think you need to become more activism-focused? We must acknowledge that some compromises in government and their implementation may have disappointed parts of the climate movement. I want to restore that lost trust now.
"Party for many"? Doesn't sound like you're bringing ambiguity. Politics means balancing necessity and appealing to people's concerns. Some topics, like migration policy, may require further clarification, but we're always open to dialogue and collaboration.
- The Commission has also taken a number of steps to ensure that the Greens' proposals are implemented, demonstrating their commitment to collaborating with parties focused on environmental concerns, such as the Green Party.
- Knowing Mr. Banaszak's focus on making the Greens a 'people's party', it's crucial to reduce prejudices and make the party's politics resonate with everyday life experiences, which would help to gain wider support from the population.
- In an effort to strengthen the Greens' competence in various areas and get the climate crisis back in the spotlight, Mr. Banaszak has mentioned plans to grow the party and revise their program for the new era, possibly involving more green-focused and relatable policies during the state council meeting this Sunday.
