Potsdam
That is what the Greens want in the European elections on June 9 AfD put someone in their place. “Democrats before fascists, green before blue” – this was the slogan that the political director of the Green Party, Emily Büning, gave at a small party conference in Potsdam. “These elections are about nothing less than protecting our democracy,” Büning said. “The question is whether we will succeed in putting the right-wing extremist forces in their place in this country.”
Some polls ahead of the European elections see the Greens and AfD roughly tied at 14 or 15 percent, while others recently saw the AfD have the advantage.
Reintke: No cooperation with the right
Top candidate Terry Reintke promised: “We as Greens are resisting this shift to the right with everything we have. And under no circumstances will we stand together with right-wing extremists next time European parliament work together.” Of the Union and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen she demanded the same.
The incumbent President of the European Commission has expressed openness to cooperation with the ultra-right party of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. One reason for this is that she could be dependent on votes from Meloni’s party to be re-elected by the European Parliament. Von der Leyen is the top candidate Christian Democratic The EPP party family, which also includes the CDU, and CSU belong. “Nationalists and post-fascists are not coalition partners,” Büning emphasized.
Nouripour about AfD: being in the pockets of dictators
Party leader Omid Nouripour warned about the dependence on dictatorships in importing fossil fuels and sharply attacked the AfD: “When I talk about dependence, about dictators, I don’t mean the AfD, because they are not dependent – they are in their pockets . The AfD’s top candidate for the European elections, Maximilian Krah, and AfD member of the Bundestag Petr Bystron are in the news due to possible connections to pro-Russian networks.
In his speech, Federal Minister of Economic Affairs Robert Habeck blamed the CDU/CSU for Germany’s recent economic problems. “Friedrich Merz, the Union is responsible for the worst economic crisis in decades,” he said. Germany should never have become dependent on Russian President Vladimir’s gas Putin.
Baerbock can imagine himself participating in the Gaza Protection Force
Several speakers recalled what Germany owes to the EU, including Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. A resolution of the party congress states: “A united Europe has secured democracy where injustice and oppression prevailed.” The EU gives hope to people who are fighting for democracy today in Ukraine, Georgia or Bosnia. “The AfD and their ilk want to destroy this dream.”
In her speech, Baerbock also raised the issue of German participation in a protection force for the Gaza Strip. “Just as we have made it clear to Ukraine that we stand up for its freedom and peace, I believe this also applies to the Middle East. “If what is needed now is not just reconstruction, but an international protection force that guarantees this, ‘we will finally, finally achieve peace in the Middle East is our common mission,” she said.
Warning about a narrow perspective
Local politician Anne-Katrin Haubold from Dresden reported in early May about the attack on another election campaign worker in Dresden, which she was present at. The perpetrators kicked their party member while he lay on the ground. Afterwards, she received overwhelming support.
Her own party warned Haubold against a narrow perspective. ‘Not only do we need to create a program for our core clientele in the affluent green areas in the big cities, but we also need to make a clear offer for those who live in rural areas and are particularly concerned about climate change, but also about hostility. to democracy.”
An announcement: This report is part of an automated service of the German Press Agency (dpa), which operates according to strict journalistic rules. It is not edited or controlled by the AZ online editors. Feel free to send questions and comments feedback@az-muenchen.de