Greens in the East: Presence offensive launched against election losses!

Greens in the East: Presence offensive launched against election losses!

The Greens face a growing challenge in East Germany. At the turn of the year 2023/2024, only 12,542 of the party's total of 155,296 members belonged to eastern Germany. An indication of the current situation is the support at the ballot box: only three to four out of a hundred voters in the region gave their vote to the Greens. Heiko Knopf, the only East German board member, sees the urgency of the situation and emphasizes: “We have to think about how we can stop this downward trend.” This worrying development even led the party to lose its government holdings in the eastern German states of Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg in last year's state elections. The next elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in 2026 are already around the corner and those responsible are alarmed.

At a recent press conference, party leader Felix Banaszak and Knopf presented their plan of action, which was dubbed a “presence offensive” in the eastern German states. He is specifically thinking about opening 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 with East German citizens and to reduce the perception of the Greens as a West German "academic and elite party" that is seen in the region as "remote from everyday life." applies1.

New strategies for the future

In view of the upcoming elections and last year's results, the establishment of a new board advisory board "Alliance Green East" was launched. This new institution will regularly deal with East German issues and provide advice to the Federal Executive Board, which is seen by many members as a necessary step. However, many questions have arisen about membership and the selection criteria for the advisory board2. Even though there has been an increase in membership across Germany in recent years, the number of members from the East remains well below expectations compared to the population share of 15 percent.

In order to better focus on the perspectives from the eastern German federal states, a programmatic realignment in climate policy is planned, which should take social concerns more into account. "Presence alone is not enough. We must take seriously and adapt the views and problems of the people in the East," explained Banaszak. This should not only increase voter support, but also help to reduce old prejudices and skepticism3.

Focus on voter mobilization

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 state parliament representation would be a bitter defeat that could set the party back considerably in its renewal. Scientists then warn of growing competition from the left, which has been able to win over younger voters in left-wing university towns in particular. The Greens must make greater efforts to find a connection with this electorate in order not to fall further behind in the East2.

Whether the Greens can adjust their course in time will become apparent in the coming months. Banaszak appeals to all members to deal more actively with the challenges in the East and to get in touch with voters. An East Elbe Congress, which is scheduled to take place in Lutherstadt-Wittenberg in September, could offer an important platform to intensify the dialogue and strengthen the voice of the region.