Germany: Green Party congress concludes
Germany sees its Green Party conclude a virtual two-day congress today.
During the congress, delegates set the policy agenda for the party and elected new members to its federal executive committee. This year’s congress comes at the height of a major scandal within the party. Last week, the Berlin public prosecutor’s office launched an embezzlement investigation into the party’s leadership board—including Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock—over special “corona” bonuses board members awarded themselves and others. The investigation seems to have little impact on the Green’s popularity, as recent opinion polls put them at 16%, compared to 14.8% at the election last September.
The front runners for the party leadership positions are Ricarda Lang and Omid Nouripour. Both are running together under a joint ticket, and hope to advance the left-wing sect of the party by focusing on issues related to the environment and grassroots organizing.
Expect the Green Party congress to produce an updated policy agenda for the Greens in the new German administration, with ambitious goals to combat climate change issues. Members will also elect a new federal executive board in order to take the spotlight off Habeck and Baerbock.
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