Green Partyโ Leader Criticizes Oppositionโฃ leader, Advocates for Inclusive Climate Policy
Hanover, Germany – Green Party leader Felix Banaszak sharply criticized opposition leader Friedrich Merz (CDU) on Saturday, labeling him โขa “Chancellor with an overflowing mouthโฃ and empty hands” during the party’s federal conference in Hanover.โ Banaszak simultaneously called for climate protection measures to be made โขmore socially equitable and emotionally resonant with the public.
Banaszak argued that declining public engagement โขwith climate issues stems from concurrent โคcrises like war, pandemics, andโฃ inflation, compounded by lobbyingโ efforts from fossil fuel interests. “Today we are declaringโ war on this โคfossil โคlobbyism,” he declared before approximately 800 delegates.
He emphasized the need for a “participatory ecology” and a “climate policy for everyone,”โ cautioningโข against shaming individuals for lifestyle choices like occasionalโค air โขtravel or car ownership. Instead, he โadvocated for fostering hope for a positive future. โ
The Greens are prioritizing the swift implementation of “climate money,” designed to disproportionately โbenefit lower-income โhouseholds, alongside socially tiered ecological support for initiativesโฃ like heat pumps and supplementary aid for those with limited financial resources. The party alsoโ intends โto address the challenges โคfaced by โขrenters in major cities.
Banaszak contrasted theโค Green Party’s forward-looking approach with Merz’s perceivedโ focus on preserving the status quo, stating, “If you look โฃforโ the future in the past,โ you won’tโค find it there.”
The party reaffirmedโข its commitment to โsecuring majorities for enterprising ecological policies and โstriving for a “better,โ fairer world.” Climate activist Ineza Grace of โRwanda โฃaddressed the conference, urging increased climate protection efforts and greater funding for global climate financing.
