The leadership of Germany’s Green party, which is part of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government, has announced their resignations following a series of disappointing election results. The party experienced a significant decline in support during the European Parliament election in June, and more recently lost seats in two state parliaments in eastern Germany, including in Brandenburg.

Co-leader Omid Nouripour acknowledged the party’s crisis, stating, “It is necessary and it is possible to overcome this crisis.” He emphasized the need for a new beginning and a change in leadership to navigate the challenges ahead. Nouripour and his fellow co-leader, Ricarda Lang, took over the party earlier this year after the previous leaders, Robert Habeck and Annalena Baerbock, joined Scholz’s government.

The Green party has witnessed a decline in popularity since joining the coalition government, which has faced criticism for lengthy debates and unclear policies that raise concerns about potential costs. One contentious issue involved a proposal from Habeck’s ministry to transition from fossil-fuel heating systems to greener alternatives.

The party plans to elect new leaders during an upcoming party congress in mid-November, with Nouripour expressing the need for fresh faces to guide the party through its current challenges. Lang remarked that the decision to step down was made out of conviction, recognizing the importance of new leadership to address the party’s crises.

It is crucial to note that neither Nouripour nor Lang hold positions in Scholz’s Cabinet, and their resignations do not impact the Green party’s ministers. The focus now shifts to the party’s upcoming leadership transition and the efforts to rejuvenate and refocus the Green party in the midst of its current struggles.