“SHAKE UP THE PARLIAMENT”
While not running in the polls, the German branch of Greta Thunberg’s Fridays for Future movement is also using the vote as a chance to raise awareness about the climate crisis.
The organisation called for protests in towns and cities across the country ahead of the elections, and has launched a campaign called “RecoverTikTok” in a challenge to the far right, which has been successful in using the popular social media platform.
“We need to defend what has already been achieved and make further progress possible,” said Luisa Neubauer, the movement’s German leader.
Speaking at a demonstration in Berlin, protester Jonathan Roessler told AFP that he planned to vote for the far-left Die Linke party, which has environmental activist Carola Rackete heading the list.
“The Greens are not as radical as they need to be,” he complained.
For its part, Letzte Generation is organising rallies that involve blockading streets, bridges and squares.
If any of its candidates are elected, they are promising “one action” a month in the European Parliament to highlight that more needs to be done to combat climate change.
No polling has been conducted to indicate how well the group might do at the elections but they are aiming to attract at least 200,000 votes, and to win at least one seat.
Still, they don’t plan on seeking to push specific legislation or to join a political coalition.
“We don’t want to participate, but rather to shake up parliament and bring our protests to it,” said Hinrichs.