Lang sees reason for self-criticism from the Greens
Immediately before the start of the party conference in Karlsruhe, which has been overshadowed by the current budget crisis, Green Party leader Ricarda Lang also sees reason for self-criticism. "We should ask ourselves why some prejudices against us still persist," she told the news portal "t-online" (Thursday). "We are not entirely innocent of this." The Greens are currently polling at around 15 percent. According to co-party leader Omid Nouripour, the Greens also want to make "key decisions" on climate policy at the party conference, which runs until Sunday.
Lang and Nouripour are standing for re-election at the party conference, which is being held under the motto "Do what counts". The Greens want to debate two urgent motions on migration and Israel. Among other things, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is expected to give a speech on the Middle East conflict.
A key issue for the 825 delegates is likely to be how the climate protection projects of the traffic light coalition and other core concerns of the Greens can still be financed following the Federal Constitutional Court's budget ruling.
Lang against cuts in social spending
Lang warned: "Cutting social spending is definitely the wrong way to go. In times of crisis, we need more security and justice, not less." Suspending the debt brake is "a solution" that the coalition must discuss. She also called for a reform of the debt rule enshrined in the Basic Law, for example through a clause to allow for more investment.
The Federal Constitutional Court has declared a reallocation of 60 billion euros in the 2021 budget to be unconstitutional. This means that the federal government may not use funds intended to combat the coronavirus crisis for other purposes. According to an initial assessment, other special funds such as those for the energy price brakes are also affected.
Nouripour told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper (Thursday) that it was the party's historic task to bring together prosperity, climate protection and justice. The party conference will also provide "orientation in migration policy" and emphasize solidarity with Israel.
Climate Union calls for a revision of the Climate Protection Act
The pro-Union Climate Union association called on the Greens to revise the Climate Protection Act. In a letter to Lang and other leading party and parliamentary group representatives obtained by the German Press Agency (dpa), Climate Union Chairman and CDU member of parliament Thomas Heilmann suggests further development of the law in terms of sector targets, follow-up mechanisms and the role of the Expert Council.
The draft bill introduced by the federal government does not provide for a new climate protection program to be presented until the next legislative period. Heilmann warned that this would violate the Basic Law because climate protection should not be put on the back burner. 14 experts recently expressed similar views at a Bundestag hearing. After the Heating Act and the Climate Fund, the traffic light system risks the next defeat in Karlsruhe when it comes to the Climate Protection Act.
Kubicki calls for more realism in migration policy
Meanwhile, the deputy chairman of the FDP, Wolfgang Kubicki, called on the coalition partners to be more realistic when it comes to migration policy. The Greens' agreement to end payments for private sea rescues in the Mediterranean was "the first small step out of colorful cloud cuckoo land towards a reasonable migration policy," Kubicki told the German Press Agency in Berlin. "I expect further energetic steps at the upcoming federal delegates' conference and an unequivocal confirmation of the latest federal-state agreements on migration."
The Greens, currently polling at around 15%, are planning to make key decisions on climate policy at their party conference, as Green Party leader Ricarda Lang acknowledges the need for self-criticism due to persistent prejudices against them. Once the conference concludes, the Greens will debate urgent motions on migration and Israel.
During the conference, the Greens will likely face discussions on how to finance their climate protection projects following the Federal Constitutional Court's budget ruling, with Lang advocating against cuts in social spending and suggesting a reform of the debt rule.
Source: www.dpa.com
