The highest level of the Green party has submitted a comprehensive policy platform ahead of the party congress scheduled for December. Key demands center on governance and democracy, including a call by party leaders Felix Banaszak and Franziska Brantner to compel federal and state governments to determine whether the AfD is unconstitutional and must consequently be banned.
Regarding the rule of law, the Greens insist that the Federal Constitutional Court be empowered to review a potential AfD ban. They also propose ensuring the secure appointment of judges to state constitutional courts, significantly limiting the political discretion of state prosecutor offices, and removing civil servants who demonstrate lack of constitutional loyalty. Furthermore, should the AfD manage to form a government, the party proposes reducing information sharing between police and domestic intelligence services to a minimum. They mandate the dismantling of right-wing networks, the seizure of their financial sources, the neutralizing of constitutional enemies, and the issuance of association bans. The “Living Democracy!” program must be reliably funded and reinforced, and the Greens explicitly exclude the AfD and its coalition partners from holding public office, a stance they expect other democratic parties to adopt.
In terms of state and administrative affairs, the plan calls for a fundamental state reform that extends beyond federalism adjustments, along with a major shift in state funding to benefit municipalities. Administrative processes must adhere to binding handling deadlines, with compliance being monitored by a “Foundation Administration Test.” To streamline bureaucracy, citizens and companies should only need to submit data once, and benefits such as child allowances should be paid out automatically. Systemic regulations should be reformed to minimize reporting obligations, and all new laws must pass through both a practical and digital review. They also propose tightening the lobby registry and reforming party financing, while strengthening the prosecution of financial and economic crime. The existing citizens’ councils at the Bundestag should continue, but only for clearly defined topics falling under federal competence.
The economic policies put forward involve allowing companies to enroll the counter-value of free emission certificates into a “Transformation Account” held at a dedicated decarbonization bank, earmarking these funds for investments and climate protection contracts. To counter unfair competition from China, they advocate for compensating tariffs, forming a “Tariff Club” with partner nations, implementing a reversal of the burden of proof under EU subsidy regulations, and restricting e-car subsidies to models manufactured within Europe. They insist that data centers, cloud providers, and energy supply remain under European control, binding foreign investments in key technologies to mandatory joint venture agreements. To regulate major tech conglomerates, the party proposes a initial national digital tax on online advertising, platforms, cloud services, and data trading, while exempting small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups. The Digital Markets Act should also be expanded to cover chatbots and cloud computing. For businesses, the Greens suggest an AI voucher for computational capacity, the adoption of the European legal structure “EU Inc.,” increased venture capital, and enhanced employee capital participation. Finally, separate commercial rental laws should be introduced for shops and medical practices.
On tax matters, the central proposal is a “500 million Euro tax” on assets exceeding that threshold, with existing income and capital gains tax already paid being credited against it. This would be supplemented by a permanent, Europe-wide windfall tax targeting profits from fossil fuel companies during crises, closing tax loopholes related to inherited large real estate holdings and real estate management corporations, and ending tax exemptions for crypto and property gains after certain holding periods. Bank accounts that remain unused for ten years would be channeled into a “Social Impact Fund.” For personal relief, the Greens propose a €500 increase in the basic tax-free allowance, an employee allowance of €1,500, a significantly higher savings premium, lowering the electricity tax to the EU minimum, and reducing healthcare contributions. Furthermore, families should be allowed to purchase a primary residence tax-free once in their lives, with escalating taxes on subsequent purchases.
Addressing the labor market, the platform calls for regional transformation agencies to be established within the federal employment agency, increased reliance on transfer companies, and an extended unemployment benefit linked to professional qualifications. Individuals who secure new employment quickly after receiving severance should receive tax
