On Friday 2 June, during a congress in Vienna a year ahead of the next European elections (see EUROPE 13184/38), European environmentalists reaffirmed their determination to run a resolutely pan-European campaign.
The ‘European Green Party’ (EGP) is preparing to welcome at least four new political formations - two Portuguese parties, a Slovenian party and the Hungarian PM party of the mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony, according to the Austrian co-chairman of the EGP, Thomas Waitz. Referring to ongoing discussions with other national parties, he welcomed the fact that the European party was present in “virtually” all the Member States of the European Union.
Unsurprisingly, the environmentalists intend to lead the fight to defend the ‘European Green Deal’, particularly against attacks from the Christian Democrats, and to speed up the climate transition, which, they stress, must not forget vulnerable groups.
Climate change knows no borders, so we need “a pan-European campaign”, said the Austrian Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Mobility, Leonore Gewessler. Referring to the previous day’s debate during the ‘Transport’ Council meeting on the Euro 7 standard for motor vehicle emissions (see EUROPE 13192/19), she criticised those countries wishing to slow down the climate transition in order to protect the “profits” of industry.
The French co-president of the EGP, Mélanie Vogel, has warned the Christian Democrat family against a possible rapprochement by conservative and anti-European forces, which would distance it from its historic political position in favour of the political integration of the EU. For example, she condemned the French LR party’s desire to amend the French Constitution to authorise France to stop applying European policy on managing migratory flows.
Spitzenkandidaten. At their Congress, the European environmentalists will confirm their support for the ‘Spitzenkandidaten’ process, which increases the democratic legitimacy of the race for the Presidency of the European Commission through the European elections (see EUROPE 13155/21).
Just like for the 2019 elections (see EUROPE 12146/13), they will appoint two co-leaders, including at least one woman, in early 2024. This is a way for our political family to “guarantee gender and geographical balance, in line with our strategy of conducting a pan-European campaign”, said Ms Vogel. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)