BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN have elected their direct candidate for the early federal election in February, as well as a new district board, at their general assembly on the evening of 20.11.2024.
Katerina Garcia is running for the Wiesbaden direct mandate
Katerina Garcia was elected as a direct candidate for the federal election. She won in the first round against her competitor Dilek Özkan. “I want to represent Wiesbaden in the German Bundestag with fresh energy and clear goals and make Germany once again a country that stands for an innovative, sustainable and fair policy. Right now, when populists are trying to win the power of opinion, we need to work together to build a society where everyone can thrive and where social justice, economic success and environmental protection go hand in hand. Katerina Garcia is 43 years old, studied law and economics and currently works as Head of Economics and Digital Affairs in the office of Mayor Christiane Hinninger at the City of Wiesbaden.
Rebecca Thomas and Daniel Schmitt to lead new board
In addition to the direct candidacy, a new district board was elected in turn. The new chairman was Rebecca Thomas of 90.2% and Daniel Schmitt of 94.9% The members present were elected. Both were already members of the previous board as associates. "As co-chair of our district association, I would like to contribute to creating the conditions for a vibrant district association in which discussions about the cause are valued, which members are active because they can get involved, because they feel they are part of a community, because they have the opportunity to engage with their competences and discover new talents", said new chair Rebecca Thomas. “With the early federal elections, the mayoral elections and the upcoming local elections in 2026, we are facing major challenges. I would like to give each member guidance on what we want to achieve and how our members can contribute individually. I see our district association as a network that lives our values and can still gain a lot of strength", adds co-chair Daniel Schmitt. Other members were Gerald Christoph Dorsch as treasurer, as well as Marta Moneva, Larissa Reis and Oliver Raudies as assessors.
Former presidents say goodbye
The previous presidents Uta Brehm and Mathias Wagner had not run for re-election. “The past four years as district president have been a good and successful time. The number of members has increased. The Greens are the second most powerful force in the city parliament. We are the Mayor for the first time and continue to represent the Department of Construction and Transport. In the Hessian state parliament, Wiesbaden is represented by two Green MPs, Lara Klaes and myself. The last state election resulted in a change from government to opposition for us. This brings new tasks and challenges for the Greens in the state parliament. As their group chairman, I would like to focus on this in the near future and have therefore no longer been a district chairman", Wagner explains his decision.
“Over the past six years as district chairman, it has always been my concern to lead the district association internally and externally with political clarity and unexcitedness, as well as personal commitment and solidarity. I am pleased that in recent years I have been able to contribute to the successes of our party and our anchoring in urban society. However, a party chairmanship, like almost all political offices and functions at the municipal level, is a very time-consuming honorary position. My profession today requires a much greater time commitment than in the past, which I would like to devote more time to. Like Mathias Wagner, I look back very gratefully on the contacts and experiences of the past years and we wish the new district presidents all the best and much success", adds Uta Brehm.
