Greens rely on presence: Banaszak opens new office in Brandenburg!

Greens rely on presence: Banaszak opens new office in Brandenburg!

Last Saturday afternoon the time had come: Felix Banaszak, the co-leader of the Green Party, opened his new parliamentary office in Brandenburg an der Havel with great enthusiasm. In the city, which has around 75,000 inhabitants, Banaszak not only wants to offer events during the Bundestag session weeks, but also address the citizens directly. He sees this office as a place of learning and a point of contact for federal politics. “We want to reach people and talk to them,” explained Banaszak at the opening, which was attended by around 50 interested people, including members of the Greens and the Left Party.

The opening comes at a time when the Greens urgently need to win back voters and mandates in eastern Germany. “We are here to strengthen contact with the population,” explained Banaszak. The district association has gained over 20 members since the traffic light break and now has 103 members. But the political mood is tense because the AfD became the strongest force in the city in the 2025 federal election. “There is still a lot of work ahead of us,” said Banaszak, who hopes that his office can help strengthen green networks.

Strategic plans

Charlotte Mujis, Banaszak's office manager, has already set herself ambitious goals: establishing contacts with the steel industry is at the top of her agenda. “Cooperation with municipal companies is important in order to advance our political approach,” she explains to the members present. This strategy fits perfectly into the current landscape, as environmental groups are active in the city and the local election results for the Greens are around nine percent.

The atmosphere during the opening was characterized by a healthy mix of optimism and critical insight into the challenges. “As the Greens, we are an experimental field in Brandenburg,” said Banaszak. He was supported with an office plant from the Left Party, which symbolizes the hope for flourishing political engagement.

A look into the future

The political challenges are complex. Banaszak describes the situation as characterized by “complaining” and “forgetfulness of the future”. His vision for the new office is that it gives the people of Brandenburg the opportunity to ask questions about federal politics and to actively participate in shaping their surroundings. “This is what we need to bridge the political divide,” he emphasizes.

Overall, Banaszak's new office is seen as part of a presence offensive by the Greens, which should not only become visible in eastern Germany, but can also serve as an example for other regions. After all, says Banaszak, “politics happens where the people are.” And it is precisely this connection with the citizens that he wants to create with his new office.