Greens in the east: Presentive offensive started against losses!

Greens in the east: Presentive offensive started against losses!

Brandenburg an der Havel, Deutschland - The Greens face a growing challenge in East Germany. At the turn of the year 2023/2024, only 12,542 of the 155,296 members of the party from the east of Germany belonged. An indication of the current location is the support of the urns: only three to four out of a hundred voters in the region gave the Greens their voice. Heiko Knopf, as the only East German board member, sees the urgency of the Situation and underlines: "We have to think how we can stop this downward trend." The party has even made this worrying development to lose its government participations in the East German countries of Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg in the state elections last year. The next elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania 2026 are already at the door, and those responsible are alerted.

At a recent press conference, party leader Felix Banaszak and Knopf presented their plan of measures, which was titled as a "presence offensive" in the East German federal states. This specifically thinks of the opening of a constituency office in Brandenburg an der Havel, even if this is a long way from Banaszak's constituency in Duisburg. Banaszak emphasizes the need to establish a deeper connection to the East German citizens and to reduce the perception of the Greens as West German "Academic and Elite Party", which in the region as "everyday life" applies 1.

new strategies for the future

With regard to the upcoming elections and the results from last year, the foundation of a new board advisory board "Bündnisgrüner East" was launched. This new facility should regularly deal with East German topics and advise the federal board, which is considered a necessary step by many members. However, many questions about membership and the selection criteria for the Advisory Board have arisen [2] (https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2025-07/ostdeutschland-gruene-choice-defeat-Fokus- board advisory board). Even if there has been a member increase in Germany in recent years, the number of members from the East is significantly behind the expectations compared to the population share of 15 percent.

In order to better focus on the perspectives from the East German federal states, a programmatic realignment in climate policy is planned to take social issues more into account. "Presence alone is not enough. We have to take the views and problems of the people in the east seriously and adapt," said Banaszak. This should not only increase the support of the voters, but also to help reduce the old prejudices and skepticism 3.

The voter mobilization in focus

The state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania could be crucial for the future of the Greens in the region. A loss of the state parliament representative would be a bitter defeat that the party could significantly throw back in its renewal. Subsequently, scientists warn of the growing competition by the left, which was particularly able to win over younger voters in left -wing university cities. The Greens have to make an increasing effort to find the wire to this electorate in order not to fall behind in the east [2] (https://www.zeitung.de/politik/2025-07/ostdeutschland-gruene-deflage-fokus-board advisory board).

It will be shown in the coming months whether the Greens can adjust their course in good time. Banaszak appeals to all members to deal with the challenges in the east and to get in touch with the voters. An East Congress Elbe, which is to take place in Lutherstadt-Wittenberg in September, could offer an important platform to intensify the dialogue and strengthen the voice from the region.