THE NEW ROLE OF THE GREENS IN THE POLITICAL LIFE OF GERMANY

Abstract

The article analyzes the new role of the Alliance 90/The Greens in the political life of Germany. The Greens have come a long way: from the leftist radical movement of protest and opposition to the parliamentary party. The author describes the reasons of the Greens’ popularity in the modern period, notes the success of the party both within the country and at the European level. According to the public opinion poll conducted in the autumn of 2019, the ratings of the ruling CDU/CSU and the Greens became equal. It should be stated that the Greens have lost their radical position and off-system orientation but they continue to demonstrate a predisposition to the opposition of the liberal-democratic nature, which implies a willingness to fight for the reform of the existing social system. In this regard, the Greens are close to modern Social Democrats, but the degree of their social criticism is certainly higher, which makes them a potential partner of the left party. From the leftist off-systemic standing to the systemic leftism: that is the result of the political evolution of the Greens. It is in favor of this conclusion that the party's current position in the political life of Germany testifies. But the problem is whether the party will be able to adapt to new conditions and maintain the credibility with the voters until 2021, the next federal election in the Bundestag?