DW Berlin Briefing - Inside German politics Understanding Germany's Green Party
Feb 13, 2025
Giulio Saudele, an expert on the German Green Party, and Ben Knight, a political analyst, dive into the fascinating evolution of this influential party. They discuss the Greens' controversial shift from 1980s peace activists to 2020s military supporters and explore the party’s internal conflicts over climate policies. The duo examines their foreign policy pivots, particularly with NATO, and the challenges of balancing human rights with economic growth. Can Robert Habeck steer the Greens back into power amidst these complexities?
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Sneaker Symbolism
- Joschka Fischer, a key Green Party figure, wore sneakers to his swearing-in ceremony in 1983.
- This symbolized the party's unconventional, anti-establishment origins.
Early Anti-NATO Stance
- The Green Party's 1998 platform advocated for dissolving NATO and national armies.
- They aimed to replace NATO with a pan-European peace and security order.
Kosovo War Turning Point
- During the Kosovo War, Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer supported NATO intervention.
- This marked a turning point for the party, shifting away from its pacifist roots despite internal controversy.