The Greens received 11.61% of the vote, a decrease from their 14.8% share in 2021. As a former partner in the center-left government, they will now have no real influence. The conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and Christian Socialists (CSU), and their likely coalition partner, the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), will decide the future course of Germany’s government among themselves.
Until CDU leader Friedrich Merz is elected as the new Chancellor, the current government, including Green party cabinet ministers, will remain in office but without much room for maneuver. By around Easter, the Greens’ time in power will likely end after less than four years.
Habeck steps back, Baerbock remains quiet
Green Party failed chancellor candidate Robert Habeck does not believe he made significant mistakes in this tough and short election campaign. He ensured the Greens presented themselves as an ally to both the SPD and CDU/CSU. However, he admitted that the election result was not as good as they had hoped.
Habeck told the press he would neither lead the Green parliamentary grouping nor take any prominent position in the party going forward. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has remained quiet about her future plans. Both Habeck and Baerbock are members of the new Bundestag.
Was there too much tough talk on immigration?
Habeck often spoke about the need for deportations, including to Afghanistan. Many in his party wondered if it was wise to discuss immigration without being prompted. In the end, the Greens lost 700,000 votes to the Left Party, who openly defended their liberal immigration policy.
Despite dissatisfaction with the election campaign, the Green Party’s performance is also a result of the spectacular failure of their coalition government with the SPD and the neoliberal Free Democrats (FDP). The coalition was contentious, but the Greens achieved significant results concerning the expansion of renewable energies and the new citizenship law.
Opposition will be difficult for the Greens
The Greens are now relegated to opposition, which will make adapting difficult. They will need a government that makes it clear Germany is taking on a self-confident role in Europe, especially with how US President Donald Trump has positioned himself. However, it is highly improbable that the Greens will be invited to form a coalition government with the CDU/CSU and the SPD. They might still have a last decisive role if Merz needs a partner to reform the country’s strict debt rules.
If Merz wants to rid of the infamous debt brake to fund the German army, he will need a two-thirds majority of votes in the Bundestag. The Greens have expressed their willingness to support the risky plan in a style fitting a governing party, which they will only be for a few more weeks.
This article was originally written in German.
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