The Green Party in Germany, officially Alliance 90/The Greens, was founded on January 13, 1980 in Karlsruhe. Its forerunners were movements in the 1970s that were formed from a variety of social movements - including environmentalistsinside, peace activistinside, civil rights activistsand representativeswithin the women's movement.
Party The Greens
The party was founded on the realization that ecological and social issues were being neglected in established politics and that a new political force was needed.
The Greens saw themselves as a response to the pressing challenges of the time: environmental pollution, the use of nuclear energy, social inequality, a lack of civil rights and the threat of the Cold War. They wanted to offer a political alternative to the established parties, which did not sufficiently address these problems.
Most influential green politicians and their political responsibilities:
- Petra Kelly: One of the most charismatic figures in the Green Party in the 1980s, co-founder and strong advocate of the peace movement and human rights.
- Joschka Fischer: Hessian Environment Minister in the 1980s and later Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor of Germany from 1998 to 2005. Fischer was a central figure in the transformation of the Greens from a protest party to a party that participated in government.
- Annalena Baerbock and Robert Habeck: Current leading figures in the party. Baerbock ran as a candidate for chancellor in the 2021 federal elections and Habeck has held various leading positions within the party.
- The Greens are also active at the federal state level. Green state governments in Germany are characterized by a focus on environmental protection, sustainable development and the expansion of renewable energies. They are often part of coalition governments in which they have to make compromises in order to align their core concerns with the policies of their partners. A prominent example is Baden-Württemberg, where the Greens have been in power since 2011 and have a significant influence on policy, particularly in the areas of mobility, education and energy policy.
At the time of our knowledge, the federal government under Chancellor Olaf Scholz includes several members of Alliance 90/The Greens, including:
- Annalena Baerbock as Foreign Minister
- Robert Habeck as Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection
- Cem Özdemir as Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture
- Steffi Lemke as Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection
- Anne Spiegel as Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth
Hostility towards the Greens
The hostility towards the Greens has various causes. Early reasons included a general scepticism towards a newly founded party that challenged established political structures. Their positions on nuclear phase-out, peace policy or environmental protection often conflicted with powerful economic interests and traditional political views.
There was also criticism from conservatives who saw the Greens' often radical views as a threat to the traditional social order. Over the years, the Greens have tried to counter hostility by professionalizing their work, adopting a more moderate political orientation, and actively communicating their goals and successes. Participation in coalition governments at state and federal level has changed the image of the Greens and established them as part of the political mainstream.
Foundations of a functioning democracy
In reality, it is impossible for a political decision or direction to receive universal approval. This is not only an accepted fact, but also a fundamental part of the democratic system. And it is not something that only happens to the Greens.
To support this claim, we need to understand the complexity of individual perspectives and their interaction with global politics.
First, every society is characterized by a diversity of opinions, values, interests and objectives. This diversity is the result of various factors such as social stratification, education, culture and personal experiences. A political decision that favors the interests of one group can therefore inevitably disadvantage or not sufficiently take into account those of another. A simple example of this is tax policies, where an increase in taxes on higher incomes can be perceived as unfair by them, while other groups see it as a step towards greater social justice.
Second, it is a function of the democratic process to represent and balance different views and interests in political discourse. Decision-making is therefore a result of compromises and negotiations. The aim is not to satisfy everyone, but to develop viable solutions that can achieve maximum approval within the population. Such compromises often do not reflect the ideals of individuals, which can lead to displeasure or even opposition.
Third, the individual perspective plays an important role in global politics. Globalization has meant that political decisions made by one country can have far-reaching consequences beyond its borders. This complicates the process of finding universal consensus even more, as international interdependencies and external influences come into play. For example, climate protection measures in one country can create economic disadvantages for other countries or global industries.
Recognizing that current politics will never please everyone equally is not only realistic, but also a sign of political maturity.
It requires citizens to accept compromises and to recognize the legitimacy of different opinions. Tolerance of different points of view and the ability to deal with conflicts constructively are the foundation of a functioning democracy. Ultimately, a society that tries to please absolutely everyone is doomed to failure, as it would fall into constant paralysis and indecision. The democratic art therefore lies in seeking balance and in doing so seeing the diversity of human perspectives as an enrichment rather than an obstacle.
Overall, it is essential for the preservation and development of democracy that its citizens understand that politics is a process of constant negotiation and balancing, in which the search for the perfect balance never ends.
By accepting this fact, we create space for dialogue, progress and ultimately a fairer and more stable society.
