The past few months have made it clear that politically and diplomatically challenging times await us in Europe. It is a turning point in world history, as Europe has been in a state of emergency since Vladimir Putin attacked Ukraine in February 2022. War is closer to us than at any time since the wars in the territory of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. Its effects are felt by everyone. Gas and oil prices are rising, food is becoming more expensive, people who lose their livelihood overnight have to flee and become vulnerable.
The Greens, the ruling party since autumn, have made decisions over the past three months that probably did not please all members. But they are important and right decisions. They are decisions that demonstrate determination and solidarity. It is important to show that this time there is consensus in the party at the federal level that compromises can be made, just as it is important to show unity across Europe on how to confront Russia’s war of aggression. The Greens quickly and clearly took a stand, a step that requires a lot of courage, but is therefore also of great value. Because the issues of special assets and arms deliveries in particular have shaken the party and brought them resentment from parts of the electorate. But it quickly became clear that, in addition to on-site help and taking in vulnerable people as support, sanctions would also have to be imposed and effective means of self-defence had to be made available.
At first glance it seems as if the Greens at the base are behind the decisions from above more than ever, as has just been shown at the district meeting of the Ebersberg party organization. Not everyone agrees with everything, but there is agreement on one issue in particular that has not been a matter close to the heart of the Greens in the past: the Bundeswehr must be modernized in order to be able to defend Germany. Opinions differ on how this should happen. The fact that the 100 billion euros that Olaf Scholz (SPD) announced in his government statement on February 27, 2022 should only be used to equip and arm the Bundeswehr, as the Union had demanded, was supported by some Greens displeasure. Because many projects that have been negotiated for years could have done well with a fraction of this sum.