The concert hall in Berlin was buzzing as Green Party leaders Robert Habeck and Annalena Baerbock made their pitches ahead of the upcoming election. Many were surprised when it took nearly thirty minutes for climate issues to come up. The Greens, who have been part of Germany’s coalition government for four years, are struggling to keep climate action at the forefront of their campaign.
Despite their efforts, the Green Party is still seen as niche and is not regarded as a broad-based party that appeals to all demographic groups. To gain broader support, they have started talking about issues like security and rising living costs instead of focusing solely on the environment.
“Electricity has become green,” Habeck told the crowd, highlighting that renewable energy sources now account for 60% of Germany’s energy. He promised to make these green solutions affordable.
However, the landscape looks challenging. Governing parties across Europe have faced significant setbacks, with Greens in coalition governments in countries like Ireland and Belgium losing ground recently. In Germany, the Greens are under pressure as they are blamed for economic issues and called out for their role in the country’s shift toward less industrial activity.
Far-right parties, in particular, have targeted the Greens, claiming that climate policies have become overly controlling. They argue that the state imposes strict rules about how to heat homes and use energy. This has resonated with many voters, especially young people who previously supported the Greens.
Luisa Neubauer, a well-known climate activist, noted that the far-right has turned climate discussions into a battleground. “The far-right is making anxiety about climate policies a central theme, which puts the Greens under pressure,” she explained.
Throughout their campaign, the Greens have mentioned climate and energy issues in only 25% of their promotional posts on social media, suggesting a shift in focus. At a rally, a supporter raised concerns about the lack of emphasis on climate protection in the campaigning.
Habeck acknowledged the terrain has changed: “Climate protection is no longer a shared concern in society.” The debate has shifted from how to achieve climate neutrality to whether the issue is even on the political agenda.
Despite this, the party maintains a core support of about 14%, similar to their standing four years ago. A recent surge saw 5,000 new members join the party in just five days, spurred on by political turmoil in the conservative camp.
The Greens are trying to reframe their message, focusing on values like trust and open dialogue, embodied in their slogan “one person, one word.” While the meaning of the slogan might be unclear to some, it aims to embody honesty in politics.
However, the younger voter base, which was crucial for their previous success, is now drifting toward other parties. Studies show a significant drop in support from first-time voters for the Greens, primarily as younger demographics find appeals from the far-right more compelling.
The party is also facing internal challenges, with recent resignations from youthful members unhappy with the party’s policies, especially its stance on military spending and asylum laws. During a rally, the Greens encountered protests from various groups opposed to their current direction.
Neubauer believes the Greens are starting to adjust their strategy, noting that there has been a recent uptick in their focus on climate issues. “The far-right wants us to play by their rules, but we know it’s a tricky game,” she said.
