On Monday 24 June, the pan-European Volt party announced that its five new MEPs (three German and two Dutch) will be joining the Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) group in the European Parliament. This decision is the result of negotiations begun in the aftermath of the European elections, with both the Greens and the Renew Europe liberals.
Although both groups had offered Volt’s MEPs the opportunity to work on the committees they wanted, the latter had called for them to remain in the Greens/EFA group (see EUROPE 13436/27). An internal vote of Volt members across Europe, held from 20 to 24 June, confirmed this affiliation with 87% support.
Germany’s Damian Boeselager, until then the party’s only MEP expressed his satisfaction at the decision, citing the Greens/EFA’s alignment with Volt’ s mission: to reform the EU, adopt humane migration policies, promote a competitive economy, achieve climate neutrality and guarantee social justice. Although Volt’ s ambition is one day to form an independent group, Mr Boeselager stressed the strategic importance of this alliance in strengthening the pro-European democratic majority and protecting the European Green Deal.
At a press conference on Monday, he spoke of his positive collaboration with the Greens/EFA during the last legislature: “I had an excellent experience”.
The Green Co-Presidents, Terry Reintke (German) and Bas Eickhout (Dutch), also expressed their enthusiasm for continuing this cooperation.
Ms Reintke stressed the importance of forming a democratic, pro-European majority to counter the growing influence of right-wing populist movements, as negotiations for the composition of the next Commission continue. “Despite the fact that we are obviously different political parties, we share many visions for the future of Europe and this is something we have worked on together over the last 5 years and will continue to work on”, she said.
These comments were corroborated by Reinier van Lanschot, Co-President of Volt alongside Francesca Romana D'Antuono, who added that the credibility of the Greens/EFA in the fight against right-wing nationalist populism was a determining factor in the decision.
“We examined in which group we could work on our campaign promises, in particular the reform of the EU, a fairer society and a carbon-neutral economy”, said Anna Strolenberg (Dutch).
And for good reason; in response to questions about negotiations with Ursula von der Leyen, who is well placed to retain her position as President of the Commission, Terry Reintke was clear: “There is no cooperation with the far right in this majority. The continuation of the European Green Deal, the strengthening of the Rule of law, freedom and Europe’s role as a geopolitical player will be major issues for us”, she stressed.
“The EPP may need us for its majority. If they want to change course and start working with the far right, that will have consequences for the whole programme”, confirmed Bas Eickhout. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)