The Greens Once Took On Germany, But Now They’re Taking It Over
The party grew out peace and anti-nuclear protest movements. Now it has a chance to enter government and wants to re-think the economy
German Green party co-leaders Annalena Baerbock and Robert Habeck
Photographer: Ina Fassbender/AFP/Getty Images
When Gerhard Schroeder formed a German government with the Greens in 1998, he made it clear that his Social Democratic Party was the “cook” and the junior partner the “waiter.” Well, not any more.
Polls show the Greens with all the momentum going into September’s election and the odds-on favorites for a return to coalition government. What’s more, they’re on the up just as the other main parties fade, giving Annalena Baerbock a realistic shot at capturing the chancellery for the Greens for the first time in history.