Green Party feud erupts as youth wing challenges leadership after election
Tensions have flared between the Green Party and its youth wing after recent state elections in Baden-Württemberg. Omid Nouripour, a senior Green politician, accused the Green Youth of withdrawing from broader societal debates. Meanwhile, the youth organisation defended its criticism of party leaders, arguing they must hold the Greens accountable.
The dispute follows mixed results for the party among young voters, despite an overall turnout increase in the election.
The conflict came to a head after the Green Youth co-chairs, Henriette Held and Luis Bobga, publicly challenged party figures—even on election night. Held stressed that the youth wing's role includes pushing internal debates and questioning party direction. Bobga went further, suggesting a strong Green performance in Baden-Württemberg might not guarantee better policies for its residents.
Bobga also highlighted concerns that young people, especially those from migrant backgrounds, feel increasingly alienated by the Greens. He pointed to shifts in migration policy as a key reason for this disconnection. His comments echoed broader worries about the party's appeal among younger demographics. Nouripour countered by praising some Green Youth branches in Baden-Württemberg and Hesse for focusing on 'real issues' during the campaign. However, he criticised others for what he called a retreat into ideological niches rather than engaging with pressing social challenges. His remarks followed calls from other senior Greens for the youth wing to adjust its approach. Voter data adds complexity to the debate. While overall turnout in Baden-Württemberg rose to 69.6%—up from 63.8% in 2021—estimates suggest around 57% of first-time voters participated. This falls short of the 79% turnout seen among young voters (18-29) in the 2025 federal election, where the Greens struggled to compete with the AfD and Left Party. Yet, Cem Özdemir, the Greens' top candidate in the state, reportedly performed well with younger and first-time voters this time around. Danyal Bayaz, the state's Green finance minister, previously noted that the party had lost ground with young voters in past federal elections. This latest dispute reflects ongoing tensions over how to regain their support.
The Green Youth remains defiant, insisting its role is to challenge the party from within. Senior figures, however, urge a shift toward broader engagement with voters. The debate comes as the Greens assess their performance among young people, who have shown inconsistent support in recent elections.
With turnout among first-time voters still lagging behind national averages, the party faces pressure to address concerns over representation and policy direction.
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