Felix Banaszak, leader of the German Green Party, has accused the German federal government of failing to make sufficient efforts in climate protection in the wake of current weather extremes.
Speaking on the RTL and ntv program 'Frühstart' on Tuesday, Banaszak stated that within the government, all topics are discussed except for climate protection.
Reality denial, obstinacy and ignorance ruling in Germany, with which I am no longer satisfied
According to reports, water levels of the Rhine, Elbe, and Danube rivers undergo dramatic drops.
Banaszak argued that climate protection and climate adaptation must be given higher priority. He supported the temporary suspension of Sunday truck driving bans to provide more alternative options for river transport and advocated for moving more freight to rail transport.
Political criticism and election outlook
Katharina Dröge, the Green Party parliamentary group leader, called the actions of the Merz government a 'political total loss' and demanded stronger climate adaptation measures due to high numbers of heat-related deaths.
Politischen Totalschaden
Regarding the German Association of Cities' demand to anchor heat protection and climate adaptation as collective tasks in the Basic Law, Banaszak expressed openness to the proposal.
On the political landscape, Banaszak expressed confidence in reaching the 5 percent hurdle in the upcoming state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. He also supported Bodo Ramelow’s demand for possible cooperation between the CDU and the Linke party following the election in Saxony-Anhalt.
Banaszak stated that the CDU must question its incompatibility resolution towards the Linke, while the Linke must recognize the Union as part of the democratic spectrum.
