Gewessler: Greens should be understood not only in the lecture hall, but also in the pub
"Our concepts must work not only in lecture halls but also at the pub table, in the living room, and on the playground," she said at a press conference on Thursday morning. The press event took place in Vienna's Volksgarten, exactly at the location where Gewessler was introduced as an outsider by Werner Kogler almost six years ago, whom she is now set to succeed.
Gewessler: Greens must provide answers to new challenges
She approaches the task with great responsibility and humility: "Because Werner Kogler's shoes are enormous." Kogler is a great captain: "You can learn everything from him," said Gewessler. However, the designated Green Party leader also intends to make changes. In the whirlwind of governing, they somewhat overlooked listening to what people expect from the Greens. Being a climate protection party will remain, but they will also have to provide answers to new challenges.
It would not have been self-evident in the past that a (de facto designated) Green Party leader would name security policy as one of the central issues. Humanity and order are green core principles, Gewessler emphasized. In women's policy, she highlighted that independent decision-making on how much one works must have at least as much space as pronouns.
Gewessler: "If I want a better world, I have to fight for it"
This also included foreign and economic policy. The fact that the Greens are a peace party should not mean "that we submit because we are not strong enough." The same applies to the economy. It must remain strong, whether being blackmailed by US President Donald Trump with tariffs or by Russian President Vladimir Putin with gas. The unstable world situation is a motivation for Gewessler to engage at the top of the Greens. The world has changed drastically since she entered politics - "and it seems to me that it has completely gone off the rails." One could lose courage here, but lack of courage does not make a single life better: "If I want a better world, I have to fight for it."
Gewessler wants to reach out and tackle
She has always wanted to reach out and tackle. Her party and she share the deep conviction: "We must do everything so that our children have it better than we do." The current government, with which a far-right chancellor was just prevented, was only briefly touched upon. However, the program developed by the ÖVP with the FPÖ is now simply being continued. With great ideological zeal, every progress in environmental protection is being undone again. Gewessler sees the Greens themselves as a constructive opposition. When it comes to discussions regarding two-thirds majorities, they are, of course, always available.
Greens stand behind Gewessler
The party once again stood behind the candidacy on Thursday. Upper Austria's state spokesperson Stefan Kaineder sees Gewessler's candidacy as "excellent news" for the Greens. The former climate minister will now passionately advocate for this planet in the front row of the party. Gewessler is an tireless fighter for a better future, praised Vienna's top candidate Judith Pühringer. In recent years, she has not only consistently shown stance but also a lot of courage.
(APA/Red)
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