Hamburg Green Party Supports Olympic Bid, Faces Youth Wing Disappointment
Hamburg, April 18 – The Hamburg Green Party’s state party conference on Saturday saw a decisive vote in favor of Hamburg pursuing a bid for the Olympic Games. The decision, made in Wandsbek, came after a heated debate among party members, reflecting diverse opinions within the party regarding the ambitious project.
Second Mayor Katharina Fegebank (Green Party), a long-standing advocate for the Olympic bid within the Senate and Bürgerschaft, expressed her satisfaction with the outcome. “I had already assumed that we would get a positive vote today – but the fact that it turned out to be so clear relieves me, because I think that as a governing party, we are also presenting ourselves very, very well today in our responsibility that we also bear,” Fegebank stated, highlighting the party’s unified stance on the matter.
Green Youth Expresses Disappointment Over Decision
However, the decision was not met with universal approval. Carro Göbel of the Green Youth voiced strong disappointment with the party’s direction. “The Greens still have the values of climate protection and social justice, and we see these as betrayed,” Göbel remarked. She argued that the Olympic Games would not be sustainable, predicting a deficit and ultimately leading to social exclusion, concerns that resonate with a segment of the party’s younger members.
Retroactive Pension Payment Approved Amidst Criticism
Another contentious issue at the conference was the approval of a €130,000 retroactive payment to the pension fund. This payment became necessary because social security contributions for state board members had not been paid for years. Lars Boettger, a member of the state board, criticized the handling of the situation: “If we give ourselves a budget for personnel costs, then we must also act within this framework and not compensate for risky actions later on through a supplementary budget.” State treasurer Tonja Körner-Uhlmann defended the action, stating that until the audit results, the party believed everything was being handled correctly. The payment was ultimately approved by a large majority.
Unanimous Support for Combating Violence Against Women
In a moment of unanimous agreement, the party adopted a motion proposing reforms to combat violence against women, including measures against digital violence. This motion received full support from all members, underscoring the party’s commitment to social justice and safety.
The Hamburg CDU has criticized the Green Party for the pension payment issue, accusing them of attempting to circumvent social security contributions. This incident adds to the ongoing political discourse surrounding transparency and financial management within political parties.
With a referendum on Hamburg’s Olympic bid scheduled for May 31, the Green Party’s endorsement provides significant momentum. The city is now gearing up for a crucial decision that will shape its future and international profile.
The state party conference also touched upon other local issues, including a large demonstration for energy transition in Hamburg, involving 15,000 people protesting against the policies of Minister of Economics Reiche. Additionally, recent football events, including Werder Bremen’s victory over HSV and subsequent fan clashes, were noted as significant local news.
The Green Party’s decision to back the Olympic bid, despite internal divisions and financial controversies, marks a pivotal moment for Hamburg as it considers hosting one of the world’s largest sporting events. The coming weeks leading up to the referendum will undoubtedly be filled with further debate and public engagement.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/landesparteitag-hamburgs-gruene-stimmen-fuer-olympiabewerbung,gruene-514.html
