Green Youth vent their displeasure about the Board of Directors

Members of the Green Youth took the outgoing executive board to task at the national congress of the youth organization in Leipzig - and sent a symbolic signal against it. Despite a few expressions of understanding, the debate was dominated by criticism of the actions of the previous leadership team.

The accusations included neglecting the core issue of climate protection, participating in "left-wing fragmentation" and communicating their own resignation. This should have been communicated to the members first and then to the press. At the end of September, the Executive Board announced that it would not run for office again, that it would leave the party and that it wanted to found a new left-wing youth association. The reason: dissatisfaction with the Greens and with too many compromises in the traffic light coalition.

Federal congress sends a symbolic signal against the board

After the debate, the members voted against a political discharge of the board. A speech by current Federal Chair Katharina Stolla was briefly interrupted beforehand because a banner demanded that the actions of the Federal Executive Board should not be approved. The decision is only an opinion poll, i.e. of a symbolic nature.

Clemens Sachs from the Berlin branch of the Green Youth was particularly critical: "Let's be honest: What we have experienced in the past weeks and months has been nothing other than a breach of trust". While the grassroots had fought together for the goals of the Green Youth, "this federal executive board has secretly built up a rival organization to us in the background".

Chairwoman Stolla responds to accusations

Stolla then clarified: "We made an announcement that we wanted to build a new youth organization. Nothing has been set up. Nothing has been founded." They would not have used any resources or structures for a competing youth organization. She also explained the board's decision once again: "Quite honestly, we have lost hope that the major changes we believe are necessary can be fought for with and through the Greens."

Jette Nietzard and Jakob Blasel are running to succeed Stolla and Svenja Appuhn as party youth leaders. Further candidates may be added before the election of the new leadership duo on Saturday.