The Brandenburg Greens elected Hanna Große Holtrup as the new co-head of state after Julia Schmidt resigned and attacked the coalition partner CDU. The 25-year-old Grosse Holtrup received 121 of 132 valid votes at the state party conference in Potsdam on Saturday, which corresponds to a share of 91.7 percent. Eight delegates voted no, with three abstentions. Große Holtrup promoted a humane asylum policy, equal opportunities and the 1.5 degree target for global warming. Schmidt resigned in February at the urging of the state executive.
Green co-head of state Alexandra Pichl accused the CDU of fishing on the right edge a year and a half before the state elections in refugee policy. “The CDU has long since lost its C in this matter,” she said, referring to the party name “Christian Democratic Union”. “The former pastor, Minister of the Interior (Michael) Stübgen, acts far from Christian charity when he repeatedly agitates against refugees and tells stories about full boats.” The Greens turned against deportation and propaganda against refugees. They promoted integration into the labor market.
The Greens also make accusations against the SPD
In view of the influx of refugees, Stübgen believes that a “brake on migration” is necessary. Pichl said: “One gets the impression that (.) people fish at the same regulars’ table as the right winger.” The new CDU country chief Jan Redmann had to show his colors here. She accused the SPD of being barely audible on this matter. The Greens stand for a cosmopolitan, solidary Brandenburg. You have governed Brandenburg with the SPD and CDU since 2019.
The CDU state chairman accused Pichl of “playing a dangerous game”. “She tries to denigrate everyone who, like Michael Stübgen, rightly points out that the communities are being overwhelmed by the uncontrolled increase in irregular migration, as agitators in order to distract from their own helplessness,” explained Redmann. He accused Pichl of not taking the problem seriously and weakening the demarcation against right-wing extremists.
Baerbock calls for a stronger welcome culture
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for a stronger welcoming culture. “When I’m traveling in Asia or in Africa, then maybe you don’t know Cottbus and Lauchhammer,” said the Green politician at the state party conference. “But when I advertise that we need skilled workers, then of course they ask themselves, are we also welcome there?” Interested parties considered whether they would rather go to Berlin, Baden-Württemberg or California.
Baerbock campaigned for more climate protection in traffic, but also included drivers and called for an electrification offensive. “Why the hell should we deny people the ability to participate in modern technology, to be able to drive cleanly and in the future to be carbon neutral?” she asked. The Greens voted for the expansion of rail and bicycle traffic as well as a nationwide 29-euro ticket for students, trainees and schoolchildren.
Große Holtrup called for a sustainable and social turnaround in transport
Baerbock campaigned for Greens parliamentary group leader Benjamin Raschke as co-top candidate for the 2024 state elections. “I think you’re the best person who can lead us into the next campaign,” she said. Officially, the top candidate and co-top candidate have not yet been determined; they are to be determined in March 2024.
Große Holtrup called for a sustainable and social turnaround in traffic, social climate protection and commitment to refugees. “We will not stop annoying our coalition partners with it either,” said the previous parliamentary group officer for the RBB committee of inquiry in the state parliament. “Of course they would rather govern without us. But Berlin showed this week what the outcome will be.” In Berlin, a black-red alliance has replaced the red-green-red coalition.
The state leadership is still silent on the reasons for the forced resignation of co-boss Schmidt. “We, the state board, had to make decisions that initially caused a lack of understanding among some of you, which were also difficult for us as human beings,” said Pichl. “Our crisis communication also caused misunderstandings. We regret these misunderstandings.” Pichl called on the members to get in touch if they needed to speak. “Here and today we want to look ahead.” Pichl had accused Schmidt of being mainly on her own behalf. (dpa)
