Nearly 500 delegates from the European Green Party (EGP) met in Lyon from 2 to 4 February for a three-day congress marking the fortieth anniversary of their federation.
At this event, they admitted two new parties, designated their leaders (‘co-Spitzenkandidaten’) for the European elections scheduled for 6 to 9 June, and adopted their manifesto, their candidates’ roadmap for the campaign.
Terry Reintke and Bas Eickhout, ‘co-Spitzenkandidaten’. The big favourites, MEPs Terry Reintke (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, German) and Bas Eickhout (GroenLinks, Dutch), were, as expected, elected co-leaders of the list on Saturday 3 February, after obtaining 57% and 55% of the votes respectively.
Ms Reintke was first nominated in an initial ballot involving only female candidates, in which she was running against Elīna Pinto (Progresīvie, Latvian) and Benedetta Scuderi (Young European Greens, Italian).
In addition, although the two heads of list could potentially be asked to take over the presidency of the European Commission, Bas Eickhout argued, following the election, that the role should go to a woman.
It promises to be a tough campaign. This appointment comes at a time when the EGP finds itself in a delicate position, 5 years after the “green wave” that carried 72 of its candidates to the European Parliament.
With the political landscape transformed, it is feared that the next election will be a major setback. The rise of nationalism, the resurgence of far-right parties and the health, energy and economic crises are all factors influencing the electoral context.
“Courage” was a key theme at this election campaign launch, and there is every reason to believe that the two heads of list will need plenty of it if they are to succeed.
Following her election, though, Terry Reintke expressed a cautious but determined optimism to journalists: “I remember the 2019 campaign quite well. A few months before the election, it also looked as if we were going to lose a lot of ground in the European Parliament. And then it turned out that we didn’t, we became the biggest group we’d ever had. So we’re going to fight for it”.
The German MEP stressed the need for a vigorous campaign and a proactive approach to meet these challenges. “We’re fully aware that it’s not going to be an easy campaign”, she added, saying the party is ready to take on the political narratives targeted against them.
Bas Eickhout echoed similar sentiments: “It’s going to be a tough campaign. But you can see and feel here that this is a very strong and united family, ready to campaign”.
Terry Reintke stressed the importance of integrating new ideas and new parties into the green political family, which could help to strengthen its position in various parts of Europe.
On Saturday, the Congress also approved EGP membership for ‘Možemo!’ (We Can!) (Croatia) and the Union of Democrats ‘For Lithuania’, the political party affiliated to the European Commissioner for the Environment, Virginijus Sinkevičius.
Asked about the recent farm protests across Europe, the two leaders of the European Greens - a party historically opposed to the Common Agricultural Policy - emphasised their vision of fairer, more environmentally-friendly farming.
Faced with potential disinformation affecting the agricultural sector, they stressed the importance of establishing a direct and sincere dialogue with farmers to dispel misconceptions about environmental policies.
Bas Eickhout emphasised the need to engage in frank conversations with farmers, distancing ourselves from the interests of the agri-food industry.
“Our dialogue will be with the farmers themselves, not with the representatives of the agri-food industry who claim to represent farmers when they are in their Brussels bubble”, he said.
He also emphasised farmers’ desire for change and the importance of a stable policy that guarantees them a fair income. “This is exactly what the Greens are consistently fighting for”, he added.
For her part, Terry Reintke, referring to her own family heritage in agriculture, stressed the importance of reforming the current system. “We have always been very strong in the agricultural debate in the European Parliament, but also in the Member States. It’s a subject that’s very close to our hearts”, she stated.
Regarding the implementation of the ‘European Green Deal’ and the ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy, Mr Eickhout expressed his concerns about the lack of significant progress and the incoherence of current policies.
Promoting a ‘Green and Social Deal’. As for the ‘Green Deal’, it is more important than ever for the EGP, a fervent supporter of the von der Leyen Commission’s initiative. European environmentalists now want to add a social dimension to it.
Outlining their campaign, Terry Reintke and Bas Eickhout presented an ambitious vision where ecology goes beyond environmental issues to include concrete economic initiatives. Faced with a ‘Green Deal’ subject to growing criticism, particularly from the European People’s Party (EPP), the Greens find themselves in a delicate situation. Drawing on the lessons of the previous mandate, they have to manoeuvre in a fragmented political landscape, where the question arises of their strategy for maintaining environmental objectives without compromising their fundamental principles, particularly in their negotiations with other political parties.
Terry Reintke took a pragmatic stance on pursuing a partnership with Ursula von der Leyen, recognising the obvious contributions of the Commission President who, despite coming from the ranks of the EPP, has made the ‘Green Deal’ a key element of her policy, while insisting on the crucial role of the Greens in ensuring that the ‘Green Deal’ becomes a reality.
Ms Reintke said: “If there is a chance of continuing, it will only be possible with the Greens at the table”.
Bas Eickhout expressed a firm position on potential alliances. “We will never form a coalition with the far right [...] It’s up to the EPP to choose whether to look right or left”, he emphasised.
Terry Reintke also stressed the importance of focusing the negotiations on the party’s priorities. “It is clear that the ‘European Green Deal’ is under attack. And we must also ensure that we fight for social justice, higher wages and better working conditions for Europeans”, she added.
The election manifesto adopted at the end of Congress on Sunday 4 February, entitled ‘Courage to Change’ (see EUROPE 13339/23), defines this ‘Green and Social Deal’.
Adopted by almost 99% of delegates, it promotes, alongside ambitious climate targets - carbon neutrality by 2040 (10 years earlier than the target the EU has set itself), the elimination of coal by 2030, fossil gas by 2035 and oil by 2040 - the fight against poverty and pay equity, by supporting a living wage of 60% of the median income in each EU country for people who are unemployed or in professional transition.
It also aims to recognise the rights of workers on digital platforms and reduce the tax burden on ordinary workers, while increasing that on polluters and the wealthiest.
After debates on amendments questioning the idea of a federal Europe and the decriminalisation of cannabis for adult use, which were ultimately not adopted, the draft was approved with overwhelming support of almost 99% at the end of the Congress.
This adoption sets the tone for a Green campaign that is now officially underway.
To see the manifesto, go to https://aeur.eu/f/apr (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)