I usually don’t like to write anything that sounds like electioneering—but in this case, I will. For the Pirate Party. In my view, the Pirate Party is important for Germany and for its political landscape. Of course, in its current state it isn’t ready to govern a country. But especially the Berlin state faction has shown that the party can make an important contribution in parliament—and, in my opinion, also in the Bundestag. What sets them apart is their different mindset, their unconventional approach, and yes, sometimes even their lack of experience.
The Pirates look at issues from a perspective that feels less tired, less conservative, and less influenced by old structures than the established parties. They have taken on topics that matter deeply in the digital age—technology, the internet, transparency, and civil rights. These are exactly the areas that Germany’s traditional parties have neglected for years. Even now, in the wake of the Snowden revelations, they still fail to deal with them adequately. If anything, this scandal has proven why a party like the Pirates is needed.
It reminds me of the Greens in their early days: a so-called “single-issue” party that, step by step, broadened its base and grew into a key force in German politics. The Pirates are in that same process of self-discovery and organization. Their experimental approach hasn’t made things easy for them, and yes, they have made some serious mistakes—mistakes that voters punished in past state elections. But that, too, is part of learning and evolving.
And here’s the point: the Pirate Party is no longer just about one issue. Anyone who takes the time to read through their election program will quickly see that those “monothematic” accusations belong to the past. Other parties—and often the media—still try to dismiss them that way, but it no longer holds true.
So my message is simple: clear the decks for change. Get involved in politics. Take a serious look at the Pirates. But above all, and most importantly: go vote!
