Election campaign in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Green building in the east

The Greens in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are mounting a determined campaign ahead of the regional parliamentary election scheduled for September 20. The party aims to cross the five percent threshold needed to enter the state legislature, a goal they believe is achievable despite current polling showing them exactly at that level. The race has gained unexpected momentum thanks to financial support from two western German entrepreneurs who have pledged substantial sums to bolster the campaign. Katharina Horn, the leader of the Green Party in the region, emphasized that while opinion polls are just snapshots, the party is committed to making its case clearly. She acknowledged the importance of mobilizing all available resources for the upcoming election. This effort has been significantly aided by a fundraising initiative called “einpunktmehr,” launched by Hamburg-based entrepreneur Gunnar Froh. The campaign quickly attracted widespread participation, raising nearly 230,000 euros within less than three weeks. The funds were initially matched by Froh and another supporter, Martin Bauer, a local Green member and businessman from Swabian Hall. Froh, a 60-year-old native of Baden-Württemberg, had little prior connection with Mecklenburg-Vorpommern before learning about the initiative. He saw the opportunity as a chance to make a meaningful impact, not only for the Greens but also against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). His involvement underscores the broader significance of the campaign, which is framed as a defense of democratic values. The Green Party’s financial resources remain limited compared to other major parties. With around 350,000 euros allocated for the campaign, the budget pales in comparison to the over one million euros held by both the Social Democrats (SPD) and Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and roughly half that amount by the AfD and the Left Party. Weak internal structures contribute to this disparity, as the Greens have only approximately 1,700 members throughout the entire region, fewer than some district branches in larger cities like Berlin or Cologne. Despite these challenges, the campaign has seen a surge in public engagement. The additional funding from “einpunktmehr” has brought the total available to nearly 800,000 euros. Katharina Horn noted that the attention drawn by the election from across Germany has led to a much greater willingness to donate than previously anticipated. This influx of support has given the Greens renewed hope for success. The money raised through the campaign will be used for advertising, posters, street campaigning, and last-minute voter mobilization in the final weeks leading up to the vote. The local party plans to strategically deploy these funds to maximize their impact. While the campaign has received considerable donations, the Greens are clear that they will not launch a campaign based solely on financial backing. Instead, they aim to leverage the resources effectively to build a stronger presence in the region.