The Green Party vowed to turn Germany into a “social ecological economy”

[ad_1]

The German Green Party passed an election manifesto on Sunday, vowing to transform the country’s economy and achieve a rapid transition to carbon neutrality within 10 years, until 2035.

The party’s candidate for prime minister Annalena Belbok promised to transform Germany into a “social ecological market economy” and proposed an “agreement with German industry” this weekend. She said that companies that achieve climate neutrality and localize production will receive compensation from the state.

“For those who think that too much climate protection will endanger prosperity, I want to say: Yes, in the past, our prosperity was based on burning coal, oil and natural gas. But the 20th century is over,” said Balbok. “The market in the future will be climate-neutral… The question is not whether this will happen, but who will do the best. I hope we are at the forefront.”

She and her party were scrutinized before the parliamentary elections in September this year. This not only marks the end of Angela Merkel’s 16 years as prime minister, but also witnesses the Eco-Party becoming the highest position in Germany. The first candidate.

After Baerbock, the Green Party set off a wave of popularity Nominate But competitors believe that its climate plan will make individuals spend more—in terms of fuel and flights.

After a fierce attack by Merkel’s center-right Christian Democrats and center-left Social Democrats, the Green Party ranked sixth in a state election last weekend. They have dropped to 22% Polls, The CDU once again topped the list, accounting for 28%.

At the same time, Balbok fell into criticism Delay in reporting additional income and beautify her resume.

The CDU and the Social Democratic Party have long been the dominant parties in Germany and are cautious about the rise of green. They criticized the 60-euro carbon tax plan per ton, believing that it has placed a heavy burden on low-income citizens. Green leaders have been working hard to convey their message that it will only cost citizens a few cents more than the current government plan.

Delegates at this weekend’s meeting generally supported Belbok, even though its young left-wing base complained that the leadership’s plan was too modest. The delegates rejected their proposal to further increase the carbon price and supported a 500 billion euro expenditure plan based on the green proposal in the next 10 years to relax Germany’s debt brake.

Revising the debt law contained in the constitution requires the support of two-thirds of the parliament, and analysts doubt that the Green Party can ensure this.But the party is keen to shake its actions Prohibition (The Ban Party) portrays itself as a promoter of innovation and social justice.

This has not changed the tone of the attack.On Friday, a lobby group called the “New Social Market Economy Initiative” will advertising In almost all major essays, Belbok, wearing a green robe, is portrayed as Moses, holding two stone steles with the “new” Ten Commandments written on them, including the prohibition of flying and the use of fossil fuel vehicles.

In publicizing her economic plan, Belbok explicitly mentioned the US President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion infrastructure plan and called for “a transatlantic climate neutral alliance.”

She also made some harsh comments on European and German foreign policy, criticized the EU’s complacency over China’s purchase of European infrastructure, and reiterated her rejection of Berlin’s support for the controversial Beixi 2 pipeline. “Europe sold itself short. However, we are the world’s largest economic community,” she said. “We have everything we need to set our own standards… If we don’t become more sovereign, others will make decisions for us.”

Although pushing for a tougher stance against China and Russia may be a good thing for many in Washington, the Green Party has also vowed to renegotiate Germany’s pledge to NATO to spend 2% of its budget for defense. This move may Not welcomed by the Biden administration. .

Stefan Müller, the parliamentary directory of the CDU Bavarian sister party CSU, sees the new platform as “a redistributed, comprehensive state control, and moralized omniscient old-fashioned left-wing combination.”

Achim Post, deputy head of the SPD parliamentary group, called him a “fiscal policy idiot” and called him “dominated by the principle of hope rather than realism.”

Baerbock smiled and acknowledged the difficulties of the future after 98% of the representatives on the platform voted. “That’s the easy part,” she said. “Now the real campaign has begun.”

Climate capital

Where climate change meets business, markets, and politics. Explore reports from the Financial Times here.

Are you curious about the environmental sustainability commitment of the Financial Times? Learn more about our science-based goals here

[ad_2]

Source link