Climate, climate, climate. It should actually be in the interest of the Greens if as many people as possible get involved in climate protection and ensure that the topic stays at the top of the agenda. Actually.
Of course, if the protagonists of “Last Generation Uprising”, some of whom are financed from abroad, paralyze half of the cities at their whim, take citizens hostage and risk endangering human lives under certain circumstances, i.e. if they consider criminal offenses to be a legitimate political tool, then bring them they discredit the topic of climate change.
Now there are interesting mind games among the green strategists. The more radical certain eco-troops acted, so the calculus, the more middle-class and electable the Greens appeared. Seen in this way, even radical, punishable forms of protest help the Greens.
Habeck’s charm offensive: He admires the “courage” of the climate stickers
But the party also has to worry if “Fridays for Future” and the criminals on the left fringes consider the current policy of the Greens to be inadequate or even irresponsible and fight them. Then, under certain circumstances, a new eco-party could emerge to the left of the established Greens – more radical in its demands, more brutal in its methods.
The founding of the “Climate List” three years ago was such an attempt. However, their participation in various state and local elections was not exactly crowned with success. But even their few votes (0.9 percent in Baden-Württemberg and 0.7 percent in Rhineland-Palatinate) were at the expense of the Greens. A new climate party would be anything but in the interests of the Greens.
Robert Habeck seems to suspect that his party could face a new challenge. And that at a time when the Greens in the polls have fallen by ten points from their 25 percent a year ago and often end up in fourth place behind the AfD. So Habeck tried to counter the possible competition with a charm offensive at an event organized by the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland”.
Apparently the minister is not familiar with the contrast between breaking the law and complying with the law
“Basically, I admire the young people for their courage – all of them,” he says, referring to “Fridays for Future” and “Last Generation”. The seriousness of the radical climate activists impressed him more than great indifference. According to the motto: “I don’t care, I’m shooting on the Autobahn and if the car makes 20 liters, it doesn’t matter, the main thing is that I’m there quickly or I have the biggest car,” says Habeck. “Then I’d rather choose the others.”
As is well known, not everything that lags behind is a comparison. So it is dishonest to compare the behavior of “climate activists” and racers, as Habeck does. Anyone who speeds down the Autobahn in an SUV is not committing a crime, but anyone who needs others is. Apparently the minister is not familiar with the contrast between breaking the law and complying with the law.
“Fridays for Future” flattered Habeck with the words that it was a historic achievement “to get a social majority for climate protection”. At the same time, the minister criticized the radicalization of the protests. His appeal: “Find forms of protest that create majorities for your concerns and don’t retreat into a niche where you only have a majority among those of your own kind.” Habeck recently condemned the actions of the “last generation” as “wrong”.
Can you seriously side with criminals?
Yes, what now, Herr Habeck? Can a minister who has sworn an oath to the Constitution “admire the courage” with which the climate stickers are proceeding? Is it really possible to decide in favor of those who want to blackmail the government and the freely elected parliament with their crimes in order to enforce certain measures – 9-euro ticket, establishment of citizens’ councils? Can you seriously side with criminals?
No, you can’t do that at all. No, you’re not allowed to do that either – at least not as a responsible democrat. If someone admires eco-radicalinskis, they oppose the fundamental principles of our rule of law. No political goal – no matter how noble – justifies unlawful means.
Of course, Habeck knows all this. However, Greens, “Last Generation” and “Fridays for Future” are ideologically closely linked. They are united by the firm conviction that they are morally superior to all other political forces, that they simply belong to the “good guys”. Hence the justification for rule violations such as truancy or crimes such as road blockades, regardless of the cost.
Currying favor with climate offenders for partisan reasons is wrong and dangerous
The Greens can claim to have put the climate issue at the forefront of the political agenda. They succeeded – after initial difficulties – in a democratic way based on the rule of law. Today’s eco-activists, so to speak the grandsons of the green founding generation, have their difficulties with democratic principles.
Habeck tries to play it down: “When you’re 17 to 22, you want a lot, and what you want, you often want radically.” Precisely because young people tend to be radical, understanding must end there, where the offense begins. There must be clarity about where the line between legal protest and illegal action is drawn.
Currying favor with climate offenders for partisan reasons is wrong and dangerous. Well-meaning and well-sounding gibberish doesn’t help. It is important to show your colors here. This applies to all democratic politicians – and especially to the Vice Chancellor.
