This Pharmacist Wants to Prescribe a New Course of Homeopathy to the Greens - Berlin pharmacist sparks Green Party clash over homeopathy funding
A 25-year-old pharmacist and Green Party district chair in Berlin has pushed for a change in the party’s stance on homeopathy. Cedrik Schamberger submitted a motion to stop statutory health insurance from covering homeopathic treatments. His proposal has now made it onto the agenda for the Greens’ upcoming party conference in Hanover.
The debate comes at a tense time for the party, still adjusting after the departure of former leaders Robert Habeck and Annalena Baerbock. Frustration among members is growing, and some senior figures question whether homeopathy should even be a priority right now.
Schamberger, who chairs the Tempelhof-Schöneberg district council, argues that public funds should not pay for treatments with no proven effect beyond placebo. He wants the Greens to adopt a clear pro-science position on healthcare. His motion has already drawn criticism, with some party members accusing him of distracting from more urgent issues.
The federal executive board plans to counter Schamberger’s proposal with an alternative motion. This compromise, originally agreed in 2020 under Habeck, allows health insurers to cover homeopathy—but only for policyholders who opt into a special tariff. Schamberger rejects this approach, claiming it still indirectly supports research into homeopathic remedies.
The outcome of the vote remains uncertain. Both sides believe their arguments will win over delegates, but the final decision will likely hinge on the mood at the conference. Schamberger insists his motion is not about boosting his profile ahead of the state elections, though critics remain sceptical.
Homeopathy has long been a divisive topic within the Greens. While some members remain sceptical of conventional medicine, others push for stricter evidence-based policies. This latest debate highlights the party’s ongoing struggle to balance tradition with modern scientific standards.
The Greens will vote on Schamberger’s motion at their Hanover conference. If passed, it would mark a shift towards a stricter, science-led approach to healthcare funding. Regardless of the result, the discussion reflects wider tensions as the party searches for a new direction.
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