The upcoming European elections are “crucial” to stop the far right from seizing power and dismantling the Green Deal.
That is according to the European Greens, who took part in a high profile Eurovision debate between the candidates vying to be the next president of the Commission.
The live debate, from parliament’s main chamber, took place on Thursday. One of the five involved was current president, Ursula von der Leyen.
The Greens said they wanted to emphasise their “dedication” to combating climate change and urged the Liberals and Conservatives “to stop flirting and working with the far right.”
Terry Reintke, representing the European Greens at the debate, stated: “Freedom and democracy are on the ballot in these elections. Far-right candidates, often backed by Russia, threaten our open, democratic, and progressive Europe. The far right challenges democratic rights, freedom of the press, and the rights of women and minorities.”
She added, “The Greens will defend our freedoms against the far right and Putin. The European elections on 6-9 June are about courage and freedom.”
Since the 2019 elections, the Greens say they have spearheaded the Green Deal.
However, they say the “rise of populism and the far right threatens this essential climate policy.”
They added, “About a year ago, an unholy alliance of the European People’s Party (EPP), Liberals, and the far right (ECR and ID) began dismantling key elements of the Green Deal, such as the Nature Restoration Law.”
The Greens say that intensifying climate disasters, including last summer’s heat waves and recent extreme weather events in Germany and Italy, underscore the urgent need for climate action.
Reintke, a long standing MEP, emphasised: “The Greens will continue to tackle climate change with the urgency it demands. Conservatives and Liberals have already started to kill the Green Deal.”
“But the Greens are committed to take the Green Deal forward. We have the courage to prioritise people and the planet over profit. Our Green and Social Deal leaves no one behind. We aim to invest in home insulation to cut energy costs, promote renewable energy to free Europe from fossil fuel dependency and autocrats, and create new jobs.”
“We look forward to voter support to realise this vision.”
She says that recent political developments highlight the stakes.
“The Dutch VVD (ALDE, Renew Europe) allied with Geert Wilders’ far-right PVV. Croatia’s HDZ (EPP) formed a government with the far-right Homeland Movement.”
The Greens say that at a Vox event in Madrid, Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni (ECR) together with Marine Le Pen (ID), “celebrated Donald Trump, and Argentina’s far-right president Javier Milei. Maximilian Krah, lead candidate of Alternative für Deutschland (ID), made comments defending the Waffen-SS.”
Reintke, who leads her group, noted, “The European People’s Party, and the Liberals of ALDE and Renew Europe, must urgently clarify their stance on the European level. Will they defend European democracy? Or will they work together with the far right European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and Identity and Democracy (ID) in the European parliament ? Greens across Europe are standing firm against the far right, vowing never to ally with them. No pasaran.”
