The Green Youth is facing important decisions: At its national congress in Leipzig, it will be electing a new board from this afternoon. The future direction of the young organization is likely to be hinted at in the candidate speeches. The Green Youth is traditionally left-wing - but could move a little closer to the party again with the withdrawal of the previous leadership team.
Why the old board is leaving
At the end of September, things came thick and fast for the Greens: first, the party's entire federal board, headed by co-chairs Omid Nouripour and Ricarda Lang, announced their resignation for November. Shortly afterwards, the ten-member executive committee of the Green Youth declared that it would not run again and would leave the party as a whole.
The reason: too little left-wing profile in the Greens, too many compromises in the traffic light coalition. The decision was made before the party executive announced its resignation, explained the head of the young organization around Svenja Appuhn and Katharina Stolla at the time. They will continue in office until the end of this national congress and then also want to leave the Green Youth and found a "new, decidedly left-wing youth association".
What reactions this has provoked
The young dropouts are promoting their project under the slogan "Time for something new". Dozens of members from numerous regional Green Youth associations have also announced their withdrawal and joined them, as can be seen from the project's Instagram profile.
The regret over the departure was limited, at least in parts of the party. There, frontal attacks on the government's course caused anger and some initiatives caused head-shaking. In spring, for example, Stolla called for a four-day week on the talk show Lanz on ZDF. For the Greens, who already fiercely defend themselves against being denigrated as ideology-driven nutcases who allegedly want to ban people from barbecuing, such appearances caused a shake of the head - at least for some. The outgoing leadership lacked an understanding of the pragmatism and compromises that a governing party must bring to the table, says one Green.
At the start of their congress on Friday evening, the majority of the Green Youth expressed their displeasure at the move and the work of the executive committee. The accusations ranged from neglecting the core issue of climate protection to participating in "left-wing fragmentation" and secretly setting up a rival organization. One of Stolla's speeches was briefly interrupted because a banner demanded that the Federal Executive Board not be exonerated. Shortly afterwards, the members also voted against a political discharge of the Executive Board. The decision has no consequences, but has a symbolic effect.
What's next for the Green Youth
Sarah Linker from the Hessian state board of the Green Youth affirmed in her opening speech to loud applause: "The Green Youth is here to stay". Timon Dzienus - former national chairman of the Green Youth - also said: "Right now, especially these days, we need a strong, courageous and loud Green Youth."
Jette Nietzard and Jakob Blasel emphasize the self-image of a left-wing party youth in their applications for the chairmanship of the youth organization. "I understand the criticism of the traffic light and the Greens from those who are leaving and I expressly share it," explains 24-year-old Blasel. He is one of the better-known faces of the Fridays for Future climate movement and emphasizes: "Anyone who takes our fear of the future seriously must not duck away at the first headwind on climate protection." Solutions must be found "that provide social security and make the rich pay". In no other place are so many young people committed to left-wing politics as in the Green Youth. That is why he is staying.
In her application, the 25-year-old Nietzard explains that she stands for the self-image of a party youth that has an impact on the party and is active in movements. Together they will push the Greens to the left. Nietzard is active in the Berlin Green Party, which is known for being particularly left-wing, is committed to helping refugees and works for the German Children's Fund.
More candidates may be put forward before the new leadership duo is elected. The national convention under the motto "No more crisis - let's take back the future!" runs until Sunday. On Saturday evening, the current leader of the Green Party, Ricarda Lang, is due to address the approximately 800 registered participants.
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