The perennial success of the German Greens

Abstract

The German Greens achieved a record result in the federal elections of 2009. The paper explores a range of factors that might explain the success of the party. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, it is argued that the excellent electoral result of 2009 was not an isolated phenomenon but is in line with a long-term growth of green electoral support which has a strong generational basis. A ‘feminization’ and ‘greying’ of green voters can be diagnosed. Despite the party’s effort to emphasize a range of economic and social issues in its campaigning, the chief factors explaining green voting remain environmental concern and opposition to nuclear energy

The niche party concept and its measurement

“…7.For example, the German Greens are still perceived as an environmental party despite the fact that the issue has long lost its predominance in the party's policy profile (Rüdig, 2012). …”

The Greens in the German federal elections of 2013

“…The party survived an extremely difficult election campaign and knows it can rely on around 3.7 million voters come what may. Given the demographic development, which will see the generations most influenced by green thinking increase in size in coming years (Rüdig 2012), the fundamentals are in place for further growth. Assuming that the Greens spend the next four years in opposition to a 'grand coalition', the party will play an important role as one of two opposition parties of virtually identical size to counter a government with an overwhelming majority.…”

Sustainability and Energy Politics

“…The charter recognised that the achievement of sustainability relied on attending to the 'needs of present and future generations within the finite resources of the earth'; this in turn required that poverty be eliminated and that the 'continuing growth in global consumption, population and material inequity ... be halted and reversed ' (2015b). The processes that could be applied to achieve these sustainability goals include: ensuring that the rich limit their consumption to allow the poor their Most agree that the German Greens ( Die Grunen ) spearheaded the green political party model (see Rüdig, 2012). Facilitated by Germany's proportional electoral system, the German Greens Party first won seats in state parliaments in 1979 and entered the Federal Parliament in 1983.…”