Wolfgang Kubicki, head of the FDP, and Ricarda Lang, a former leader of the Greens, plan to collaborate on initiatives to increase greenery within Berlin’s central districts. On the ntv program “Blume & Pfeffer,” Lang invited Kubicki to join her in planting trees at Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin. Kubicki immediately accepted the invitation, stating, “I am in right away. I will plant trees with you at Gendarmenmarkt.”
This collaboration follows a period of debate, as Lang had previously criticized the immediate response of some FDP politicians regarding urban greening and trees. She highlighted the tendency to prioritize automobiles in traffic policy discussions, stating, “No priority for the car. No, that restricts citizens’ freedom.” Kubicki countered this critique, assuring her that “you will find no liberal who is against planting trees in the city. Absolutely none.”
Kubicki emphasized that his advocacy for more trees and urban green spaces stems from the extensive concrete paving across the city, noting that trees have not been planted in many areas. Lang dismissed the idea that climate protection and adaptation should be presented as conflicting goals. She maintained that ensuring the city becomes more tolerable during heatwaves is essential. Despite their differing initial stances, both Lang and Kubicki agreed that both climate protection and adapting to the consequences of climate change are necessary actions. Lang concluded with the promise, “We will not fail in bringing more greenery into the inner cities.”
