Green Party's Interim Chairwoman-Stahr Steers Berlin's Greens toward Unity
In an attempt to quell internal strife, Green Party's Bundestag member Nina Stahr has been tapped as the interim state chairwoman of Berlin Greens. The announcement came from parliamentary group leader Bettina Jarasch on behalf of the Realo faction of the party.
Stahr, who served as the Capital Greens chairperson between 2016 and 2021, is now vying for the dual leadership role at a party conference on December 13th. Her opponent is incumbent Philmon Ghirmai, affiliated with the party's left or Fundis.
The party conference originally scheduled for December 6th was postponed due to Tanja Prinz, the Realo candidate for the post, failing to secure a majority in the election for the state chairmanship. Prinz had previously narrowly defeated Susanne Mertens, the previous co-leader, in an internal vote within the Realo wing but ultimately fell short in the ensuing party conference elections due to opposition from the Fundi wing.
Following the election debacle, intense negotiations and discussions ensued regarding the way forward, resulting in Stahr's nomination as the interim state chairwoman by a Realo search committee.
Stahr to Maintain Bundestag Position
As interim state chairwoman, Stahr will hold the post until the state delegates' conference in May at the latest. She will concurrently continue her role as a Green Party member in the Bundestag. The unconventional arrangement to maintain her Bundestag seat is due to Stahr's assertion that "we already have enough crises in the world, in Germany, and Berlin. We don't need Greens in a crisis."
The Green Party's balance between its two factions - Realos and Fundis, which also influences top-level appointments - has gained significant importance within the Berlin Greens. During the period of government participation from 2016 to 2023, conflicting views about the party's program and direction, which had been a significant issue for the Greens in the past, receded into the background. These differences have resurfaced in opposition.
"Unity has been our strength in recent years, and we need to get back to that as quickly as possible," stated parliamentary group leader Jarasch during Stahr's appointment. Jarasch further praised Stahr, describing her as "someone with calm, experience, and a good reputation across the party. Nina Stahr combines all of these points."
Support from the Party's Left
Co-leader of the parliamentary group Werner Graf, a left-wing Green Party member, backed Stahr's candidacy. Graf, who once served as party leader alongside Stahr, expressed his support for Stahr's nomination, stating: "Nina is the state chairwoman we need now. That's why I'm also campaigning in the party for us to support Nina together."
Although Graf advocated for the separation of the party chairperson's role and an elected member's mandate in times of stability, he acknowledged the need for an interim period of unity in the current situation.
Similar sentiments of support for Stahr were expressed by Silke Gebel, a supporter of the Realo wing in the largest Green Party district association in Mitte. "We need a state executive committee capable of acting to pacify conflicts," declared Gebel, echoing the sentiments of other party members.
Stahr's track record in uniting the party with various groups and currents has been instrumental in her rapid rise within the party. As the new interim chairperson, Stahr aims to lead the party through its infighting, ultimately working towards a unified solution for the benefit of the party and the city of Berlin.
