The Green Youth has sharply criticized parts of the party leadership, particularly addressing the question of what role party chair Franziska Brantner and federal board member Heiko Knopf-along with their respective offices-are playing in developing a “Realo” network that competes with the youth organization. According to the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” (Saturday edition), Green Youth spokesperson Henriette Held stated that this approach harms the cohesion within the party. Co-chair Luis Bobga echoed this, arguing that as party chair, Brantner has the duty to fight for a unified Green Party, and that her actions suggest she is failing in this responsibility.
The immediate trigger for this dispute was a meeting of the “Academy of Young Realos” that took place last weekend in Berlin, attended by 120 participants. The newspaper reports that Brantner and Knopf were also present at the event, and employees from their offices were allegedly involved in organizing the meeting. Held specifically criticized this, questioning whether the offices had misused funds, work hours, or resources to build these parallel structures that undermine the official Green Youth.
Brantner and Knopf refuted these accusations, telling the SZ that they were not involved in the Academy’s organization. They argued that staff members contributed to the event voluntarily, outside of their contracted hours and without specific orders, and confirmed that no faction or party funds were used.
The conflict over the status of the Green Youth is also causing friction within the Green parliamentary group. MP Karo Otte noted that the claim that resources were drawn from the party executive to undermine the structure of the legally defined youth association is circulating. She stressed that the Green Youth is a well-supported representation embraced by a vast majority. Otte asserted, “Questions now need to be answered.” Similarly, MP Timon Dzienus urged Brantner and Knopf to ensure transparency and cease such actions.
In response, the Realos side advised keeping matters calm. Till Steffen argued that some young people had created a dialogue and discussion format through their own efforts, something they would not have found through the youth organization. Antagonistically, Green leader Brantner also stated that as a pluralistic party, the Greens should offer a home to everyone, including those seeking something different from what they currently find in the Green Youth.
