“A lot of people are a little aggressive”… In Germany, the Greens in the campaign despite mistrust

While the polls are much less optimistic than five years ago for the German Green party, the Green candidates are beginning their official campaign in a tense climate.

Four weeks before the European elections, the German Greens officially launch their campaign on Monday May 13. Five years ago, the party obtained just over 20% of the vote and came in 2nd place in Germany. But this year, the Greens are less dashing while as the election approaches, the climate has become tense with a wave of attacks and insults. This does not prevent elected officials and activists from mobilizing.

Near Düsseldorf, in Hochdahl, a town of 27,000 inhabitants, MEP Daniel Freund is at the wheel of his 100% electric Tesla covered with stickers in his name. Having just arrived from Brussels over the last six days, the MEP traveled nearly 2,000 kilometers to meet voters.

“Many people have never met someone who sits in the European Parliament so it’s important to show that it’s not a bureaucracy that has no face in Brussels, it’s people who are elected. That’s also why we’re campaigning.”

Around ten environmental activists are waiting for the MP at the stand set up in the market. They offer passers-by sunflower-shaped waffles – the symbol of the German Greens – but contact is not always easy, admits Michelle, who joined the Greens three years ago. “There are a lot of people who are a little aggressive against the Greens,” she confides.

“We are in the government. All the changes we have launched, people are afraid that it will cause them problems, that they will have less money. People’s attitude has changed a lot.”

Michelle, green activist for 3 years

at franceinfo

Mélanie, a 40-year-old legal assistant who speaks with an activist, is not convinced. “You should ensure that our pension system works, that the education system works. You provide no solution and you waste taxpayers’ money. I am 100% sure to vote for the AfD to save Germany”, she says.

Credited with a little more than 15% in the polls, the far right is currently in 2^e position, behind the conservatives, and just in front of the green party.