Small party congress of the Greens: setting goals for the search for a government

Less than a week after the general election, the Greens meet at a small party conference. Guidelines for the exploratory talks should be established before the search for a government alliance continues tomorrow.

They have already talked to the FDP, they still want to talk to the SPD and CDU – but first the Greens are talking to each other again. Around 100 delegates come together for the small party congress, the so-called state council, in Berlin. Of course, the focus is on the question: How should things proceed after the federal elections – and, above all, with whom?

At the party congress, the members should first of all officially entrust the existing ten-person exploration team around the two Greens bosses Annalena Baerbock and Robert Habeck to take over the consultations with the other parties. In addition, an expanded exploratory team is to be confirmed.

And the delegates should clarify which of their core issues the party should push as a possible coalition partner and where compromises could be made. There is already a lead proposal for the meeting of the state council. It speaks of the “clear mandate” of “taking responsibility for shaping the country and forming a progressive government”. “We cannot allow it to continue like this. The next federal government must be a climate government.”

Preferably the traffic light

When looking for a new government, there are two options: the traffic light – an alliance of the SPD, the Greens and the FDP. Or a Jamaica coalition, a merger of the CDU with the Greens and the Liberals.

Immediately after the election, the party made it clear which of these options the Greens are leaning towards. And also Agnieszka Brugger, member of the expanded exploratory team of the Greens, emphasized in an interview with the daily topicsthat a traffic light is more likely to be realized. On the one hand, the vote of the voters for the SPD should be respected, on the other hand they see greater overlaps with the Social Democrats.

Two want to find each other

The Greens and the FDP are much further apart in terms of content. But after a first meeting on Friday it became clear that both sides are looking to rapprochement. After the discussions in a smaller group, both parties spoke of bridges that should be built to one another, of a good atmosphere and a good start. And Brugger also mentioned in the daily topics the similarities with the FDP, on the subject of digitization, for example, or civil rights.

The Greens cuddle up with their favorite opponent. What has been bitterly debated in the case of the CDU for years – should we really work with them, or do we betray our basic principles – that is now practically overnight between the Greens and Liberals. It just has to happen quickly, which is why the quick preliminary explorations – without any commission from the base. The small party congress should now formally give this. But you don’t hear anyone among the Greens who would be seriously angry with their dual leadership because of that. The North Rhine-Westphalian MP Ophelia Nick, who was recently elected to the Bundestag, emphasized: “Personally, I am totally relaxed and have great confidence in our party leadership.”

Consultations with the SPD planned on Sunday

But there is still a lot to be done before the green and yellow content-related contrast program can be brought to a common consensus. FDP leader Christian Lindner also made it clear after the first consultations that there are still “divisions” and “undoubtedly differences”. Brugger also sees this from the Greens – especially when it comes to climate protection and sustainable financial policy.

But before the building of bridges between the Greens and the FDP can continue, talks with the Social Democrats are pending at both parties. They are pushing for a quick coalition to be formed and want to lay the foundation for it on Sunday. But from Sunday the Union will also be involved in soliciting the necessary allies. A meeting with the FDP is scheduled for the evening. The Christian Democrats will meet with the Greens on Tuesday.