The new leadership of the Greens group at the European Parliament, German MEP Terry Reintke and Dutch lawmaker Bas Eickhout, have offered to support Ursula von der Leyen’s bid for the EU Executive presidency. However, they are seeking clarity from the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) on their stance regarding the future of the Green Deal, a key priority for the Greens. The EPP’s perceived disunity on this issue needs to be resolved before the Greens can consider forming a coalition with them. The Greens are also adamant that any cooperation with the far-right must be off the table in discussions.
The Greens’ co-presidents emphasized the importance of having red lines in negotiations, including the continuation of the EU’s environmental policy and avoiding any alliances with far-right parties. They acknowledged that talks with other groups, not just the EPP, were already underway. The co-presidents expressed a willingness to engage in negotiations with a constructive spirit while maintaining their clear set of red lines. They also highlighted the importance of the coalition being open to other pro-European groups to prevent a shift to the right within the European Parliament.
The Greens’ co-presidents pointed out the inconsistency within the EPP when it comes to the Green Deal, citing mixed messages from EPP members during the campaign. They stressed the need for clarity on the EPP’s position before proceeding with talks to include the Greens in the majority that would support Ursula von der Leyen’s election to the European Commission presidency. The co-presidents also warned against repeating past mistakes of misjudging the direction of far-right leaders like Orban and urged the EPP to avoid aligning themselves with figures like Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni.
In their constitutive meeting, Green MEPs discussed their preference for a written coalition agreement akin to those used in some countries before forming governments. The co-presidents highlighted the need for transparency and accountability in any potential coalition agreements. They also mentioned the receptivity of the socialists to having the Greens in the majority, as the socialists’ priorities align closely with those of the Greens. The co-presidents emphasized the need for a coalition that effectively safeguards the values and policies important to the Greens.
The co-presidents stressed the significance of maintaining clear red lines in negotiations and ensuring that the coalition upholds the Green Deal and other key priorities for the Greens. They expressed their willingness to engage in discussions with a constructive approach while remaining firm on important issues. The Greens are committed to forging a coalition that not only supports Ursula von der Leyen’s bid for the EU Executive presidency but also upholds the values of environmental sustainability and a pro-European stance. Discussions with other political groups are ongoing, and the Greens are poised to play an active role in shaping the future direction of the European Parliament.
