European Green Party

The European Green Party (EGP), also referred to as European Greens, is the European political party that represents national parties from across Europe who share Green values. The European Greens works closely with the Greens–European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) parliamentary group in the European parliament which is formed by elected Green party members along with the European Free Alliance, European Pirate Party and Volt Europa. The European Greens' partners include its youth wing the Federation of Young European Greens (FYEG), the Green European Foundation (GEF) and the Global Greens family.

European Green Party
PresidentMélanie Vogel and Thomas Waitz
Secretary-GeneralBenedetta De Marte
Founded21 February 2004 (2004-02-21)
Preceded byEuropean Federation of Green Parties
HeadquartersRue du Taciturne 34, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Think tankGreen European Foundation
IdeologyGreen politics[1]
Pro-Europeanism
Political positionCentre-left to left-wing
International affiliationGlobal Greens
European Parliament groupGreens–European Free Alliance
Colours  Green
European Parliament
52 / 705
Website
europeangreens.eu

History

Green politics emerged from grassroots political movements, such as the environmental, peace, and women's rights movements. They forged the Greens' political priorities: climate change, peace, environment, democracy, social justice and health. Greens emerged as a new political force in the 1970s in several European countries and have been represented in the European Parliament since 1984.[2]

The European Green Party was founded at the 4th Congress of the European Federation of Green Parties on 20–22 February 2004 in Rome, as the evolution of this already existing federation. The foundation of the new party was finalised with the signing of the treaty constituting the party. 32 Green parties from across Europe joined this new pan-European party.[3] The Greens were the first to form a political party at the European level.

The European political party amplifies the political expression of member parties by having common policy positions, mutual election manifestos, and cohesive European election campaigns. The European Greens also has networks which brings Green politicians together, such as the Local Councillors Network.[3][4]

The current presence of European Greens member parties in national governments is the highest in history. They are now in government in eight countries in Europe: Austria (The Greens), Belgium (Groen and Ecolo), Bulgaria (Green Movement), Germany (Alliance 90/The Greens), the Republic of Ireland (Green Party), Latvia (The Progressives), Luxembourg (The Greens), Montenegro (United Reform Action) and Scotland (Scottish Greens).

Representation

The table below shows the results of the Greens for the six direct elections to the European Parliament, in terms of seats and votes. It also shows how many European Commissioners the European Greens have, who led the parliamentary group. It also lists how the Green parliamentary group and supra-national organisations was named and what European parliamentary group they joined.[5]

Year MEPs MEPs % Votes % EC Leaders EP Subgroup EP group Organization
1979 0 0 2.4% 0 none none none Coordination of European Green and Radical Parties
1984 11 2.5% 4.2% 0 Friedrich-Wilhelm Graefe zu Baringdorf (1984–86),
Bram van der Lek (1984–86),
Brigitte Heinrich (1986),
François Roelants du Vivier (1986),
Frank Schwalba-Hoth (1986–87),
Paul Staes (1987–88),
Wilfried Telkämper (1987–89)
Green Alternative European Link Rainbow Group European Green Coordination
1989 25 4.8% 7.4% 0 Maria Amelia Santos (1989–90),
Alexander Langer (1990),
Adelaide Aglietta (1990–94),
Paul Lannoye (1990–94)
Green Group in the European Parliament European Green Coordination
1994 21 3.7% 7.4% 0 Claudia Roth (1994–98),
Alexander Langer (1994–95),
Magda Aelvoet (1997–99)
Green Group in the European Parliament European Federation of Green Parties
1999 38 6.1% 7.7% 1[lower-alpha 1] Heidi Hautala (1999–2002),
Paul Lannoye (1999–2002),
Monica Frassoni (2002–04),
Daniel Cohn-Bendit (2002–04)
European Greens Greens–European Free Alliance European Federation of Green Parties
2004 35 4.8% 7.3% 0 Monica Frassoni (2004–09),
Daniel Cohn-Bendit (2004–09)
European Greens Greens–European Free Alliance European Green Party
2009 48[lower-alpha 2] 6.2% 7.3% 0 Rebecca Harms (2009–14),
Daniel Cohn-Bendit (2009–14)
European Greens Greens–European Free Alliance European Green Party
2014 50[6][lower-alpha 3] 6.7% 7.3% 0 Rebecca Harms (2014–2016),
Ska Keller (2017– ),
Philippe Lamberts (2014– )
European Greens Greens–European Free Alliance European Green Party
2019 67 11.4% 10.0% 0 Ska Keller and Bas Eickhout European Greens Greens-EFA European Green Party

Organisational structure

Ulrike Lunacek, ex vice-president of the European Parliament and Michaele Schreyer, the only Green European Commission member so far

The European Green Party is a European political party, constituted out of political parties from European countries. Parties can also become associate members. Members of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament not belonging to a member party can be admitted as a special member with speaking rights but no vote.

Alice Bah Kuhnke, Deputy chairwoman of the Greens–European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) group in the European Parliament.

The governing bodies of the EGP are the Council and the Committee.[7]

  • The Council takes place twice a year and is the main decision-making body of the European Greens and consists of delegates of member parties. During Councils, delegates from European Greens parties set a common political direction, linked to the development of the European project and its values. They do so by debating and vote on resolutions on key issues in Europe. Delegates are allotted based on their most recent European or national election results. Each party has at least two delegates. consists of delegates of member parties. These are allotted on the basis of their most recent European or national election results. Each party has at least two delegates.[8]
  • The Committee consists of nine members, including two Co-Chairs (one man and one woman), a Secretary General and a Treasurer. They are responsible for daily political affairs, execution of the Council's decisions and the activities of the EGP office and staff. Co-Chairs Thomas Waitz and Mélanie Vogel, Secretary General Benedetta De Marte, Treasurer Ute Michel, and Committee Members Vula Tsetsi, Sibylle Steffan, Małgorzata Tracz, Rasmus Nordqvist and Mina Jack Tolu were elected at the 35th European Green Party in Riga, Latvia. The EGP has had several Co-Chairs.

Co-chairs of the European Greens

Mandate Co-chairs Member party Years Secretary General Council election
May 2022 – France Mélanie Vogel EELV 05/2022 – Present Belgium Benedetta De Marte Riga,  Latvia, November 2022
Austria Thomas Waitz Die Grünen 05/2022 – Present
Nov 2019 – May 2022 Belgium Evelyne Huytebroeck Ecolo 11/2019 – 05/2022 Spain Mar Garcia Tampere,  Finland, November 2019
Austria Thomas Waitz Die Grünen 11/2019 – 05/2022
Nov 2015 – Nov 2019 Italy Monica Frassoni Federazione dei Verdi 11/2015 – 11/2019 Spain Mar Garcia Lyon,  France, November 2015
Germany Reinhard Bütikofer Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen 11/2015 – 11/2019
Nov 2012 – Nov 2015 Italy Monica Frassoni Federazione dei Verdi 11/2012 – 11/2015 Netherlands Jacqueline Cremers (until end 2014)

Spain Mar Garcia (from January 2015)

Athens,  Greece, November 2012
Germany Reinhard Bütikofer Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen 11/2012 – 11/2015
Oct 2009 – Nov 2012 Italy Monica Frassoni Federazione dei Verdi 10/2009 – 11/2012 Netherlands Jacqueline Cremers Malmö,  Sweden, October 2009
Belgium Philippe Lamberts Ecolo 10/2009 – 11/2012
May 2006 – Oct 2009 Austria Ulrike Lunacek Die Grünen 05/2006 – 10/2009 Germany Juan Behrend Helsinki,  Finland, May 2006
Belgium Philippe Lamberts Ecolo 05/2006 – 10/2009
May 2003 – May 2006 Italy Grazia Francescato Federazione dei Verdi 05/2003 – 05/2006 Malta Arnold Cassola Saint Andrews,  Malta, May 2003
Finland Pekka Haavisto Vihreä Liitto 05/2003 – 05/2006
  • The Congress is an enlarged meeting of the Council which is convened by the Council at least once every 5 years and hosts more delegates.

Networks

The EGP hosts a collection of networks that have specific special interest focus, including:

  States with member parties
  States with associate parties
  States with candidate parties

Guidelines

Charter

According to its charter, the European Greens is working towards a just and sustainable transition towards societies "respectful of human rights and built upon the values of environmental responsibility, freedom, justice, diversity and non-violence". The charter’s guiding principles provide a framework for the political actions taken by member parties.  

The priorities outlined in the charter include protecting human health and wellbeing, maintaining biological diversity, combatting global warming, transitioning to a just and sustainable economy, strengthening inclusive democracies, safeguarding diversity, and ensuring social justice.  

Statutes  

The European Green Party statutes define the party in legal terms.

Membership

Full members

Country Name MEPs National MPs Government status
 AlbaniaGreen Party of AlbaniaNot in EU
0 / 140
Extra-parliamentary
 AustriaThe Greens – The Green Alternative
3 / 18
26 / 183
Government
 Belgium FlemishGroen
1 / 12
[lower-alpha 4]
8 / 102
[lower-alpha 5]
Government
 French
 German
Ecolo
2 / 9
[lower-alpha 6]
13 / 63
[lower-alpha 7]
Government
 BulgariaGreen Movement
0 / 17
3 / 240
Government
 CyprusMovement of Ecologists – Citizens' Cooperation
0 / 6
3 / 56
Opposition
 Czech RepublicGreen Party
0 / 22
0 / 200
Extra-parliamentary
 DenmarkGreen Left
2 / 13
15 / 179
Opposition
 EstoniaEstonian Greens
0 / 7
0 / 101
Extra-parliamentary
 FinlandGreen League
3 / 14
13 / 200
Opposition
 FranceEurope Ecology – The Greens
11 / 74
16 / 577
Opposition
 GeorgiaGreens Party of GeorgiaNot in EU
0 / 150
Extra-parliamentary
 GermanyAlliance 90/The Greens
21 / 96
118 / 736
Government
 GreeceEcologist Greens
0 / 21
0 / 300
Extra-parliamentary
 HungaryLMP – Hungary's Green Party
0 / 21
5 / 199
Opposition
 IrelandGreen Party[lower-alpha 8]
2 / 13
12 / 160
Government
 ItalyGreen Europe
0 / 76
6 / 400
Opposition
 South TyrolGreens
0 / 76
0 / 400
Extra-parliamentary
 LatviaThe Progressives
0 / 8
10 / 100
Government
 LuxembourgThe Greens
1 / 6
4 / 60
Government
 MaltaAD+PD
0 / 6
0 / 79
Extra-parliamentary
 MoldovaEcologist Green PartyNot in EU
0 / 101
Extra-parliamentary
 MontenegroUnited Reform ActionNot in EU
4 / 81
Government
 NetherlandsGroenLinks
3 / 26
8 / 150
Opposition
 North MacedoniaDemocratic Renewal of MacedoniaNot in EU
1 / 120
Confidence and supply
 NorwayGreen PartyNot in EU
3 / 169
Opposition
 PolandThe Greens
0 / 51
3 / 460
Opposition
 PortugalLIVRE
0 / 21
1 / 230
Opposition
Ecologist Party "The Greens"
0 / 21
0 / 230
Extra-parliamentary
 RomaniaGreen Party
0 / 32
0 / 330
Extra-parliamentary
 SloveniaYouth Party – European Greens
0 / 8
0 / 90
Extra-parliamentary
 SpainGreens Equo
0 / 54
0 / 350
Extra-parliamentary
 CataloniaGreen Left
1 / 54
[lower-alpha 9]
2 / 48
[lower-alpha 10]
Confidence and supply
 SwedenGreen Party
3 / 20
18 / 349
Opposition
  SwitzerlandGreen Party of SwitzerlandNot in EU
28 / 200
Opposition
 UkraineParty of Greens of UkraineNot in EU
0 / 450
Extra-parliamentary
 United Kingdom England
 Wales
Green Party of England and WalesNot in EU
1 / 573
[lower-alpha 11]
Opposition
 ScotlandScottish Greens
0 / 59
[lower-alpha 12]
Extra-parliamentary
Northern IrelandGreen Party in Northern Ireland [lower-alpha 13]
0 / 18
[lower-alpha 14]
Extra-parliamentary
sources[9]

Associate members

Country Name MEPs National MPs Government status
 AzerbaijanAzerbaijan Green PartyNot in EU
0 / 125
Extra-parliamentary
 CroatiaGreen Alternative – Sustainable Development of Croatia
0 / 11
0 / 151
Extra-parliamentary
 Finland ÅlandSustainable Initiative
0 / 13
0 / 1
[lower-alpha 15]
Extra-parliamentary
 HungaryDialogue – The Greens' Party
0 / 21
6 / 199
Opposition
 PortugalPeople-Animals-Nature
0 / 21
1 / 230
Opposition
 RussiaUnion of Greens of RussiaNot in EU
0 / 450
Extra-parliamentary
 SloveniaVesna – Green Party
0 / 8
0 / 90
Extra-parliamentary
 Spain CataloniaCatalunya en Comú
1 / 59
[lower-alpha 9]
5 / 48
[lower-alpha 10]
Government
 TurkeyGreen Left PartyNot in EU
55 / 600
Opposition
sources[9]

Former members

Country Year left Name MEPs (current) National MPs (current)
 Belarus 2023 Belarusian Green Party n/a – defunct
 Denmark 2012 De Grønne n/a – defunct|-  Hungary2015Green Leftn/a – defunct
 Latvia2019Latvian Green Party
4 / 100
 Netherlands2017The Greens-
 Russia2016[lower-alpha 16]Green AlternativeNot in EU-
 Spain2012Confederation of the Greens


Ideology and positions

The European Greens have committed themselves to the basic tenets of Green politics, such as environmental responsibility, individual freedom, inclusive democracy, diversity, social justice, gender equality, global sustainable development and non-violence.

The European Greens was the first European political party to form, signalling its commitment to the European project. In its charter, it nevertheless affirms that the political party is working to make the European Union more just, democratic and inclusive.  

European election campaigns

Manifestos

2019: Time to renew the promise of Europe.  

2014: Change Europe, Vote Green.  

2009: A Green New Deal for Europe.

2004: Europe Can Do Better. You Decide!

1999: A Common Green Manifesto for the 1999 European Elections.

1994: Election Platform – Green Parties of the EU.

Results

The candidates for the 2019 European Parliament election were Ska Keller and Bas Eickhout, who campaigned for climate protection, a social Europe, more democracy and stronger rule of law. That year, the Greens made the strongest ever showing across Europe, in part due to rising public awareness about climate change and the impact of youth movements for climate. The strongest surge was in Germany as Alliance 90/The Greens replaced the centre-left Social Democratic Party of Germany as the second-strongest party. The Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament obtained 74 seats in total. The Greens' results signified a new balance of power as the European People's Party (EPP) and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) lost their majority.

In the 2014 European Parliament election the Green candidates were José Bové and Ska Keller. These elections marked the first time there were primaries including Spitzenkandidaten at the European elections, which allows Europeans to not only vote for who should represent them in the European Parliament, but also help to decide who should lead the European Commission. In May they presented a common programme including the Green New Deal at the launch of the European Greens' campaign which called for "a new direction of economic policy aimed at reducing our carbon footprint and improving our quality of life". The slogan of the campaign was 'Change Europe, vote Green'. The Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament obtained 50 seats in total.

In the 2009 European Parliament election, even though the European Parliament was reduced in size, the European Greens' member parties won 46 seats, the best result of the Green Parties in 30 years. The Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament secured 55 seats in total.

In the 2004 European Parliament election, member parties won 35 Seats and the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament secured 43 in total.

Green representation

European institutions

OrganisationInstitutionNumber of seats
 European UnionEuropean Commission
0 / 28
European Council
(Heads of Government)
0 / 28
Council of the European Union
(Participation in Government)
7 / 27
European Parliament
52 / 751
 Council of EuropeParliamentary Assembly
3 / 318

Election results

Country Name Votes Total Last EU election Votes Total Last national election Government status
 AustriaThe Greens – The Green Alternative 532,193 3,834,662 14.1% 664,055 4,835,469 13.9%Government
 Belgium FlemishGroen 525,908 6,732,157 7.8% 413,836 6,780,538 6.1%Government
 French
 German
Ecolo 492,330 7.2% 416,452 6.1%Government
 BulgariaThe Greens EPP 2,015,320 6.1%[10] EPP 2,658,548 6.3%[10]Opposition
 CyprusMovement of Ecologists – Citizens' Cooperation 9,232 280,935 3.3%[11] 15,762 357,712 4.4%Opposition
 Czech RepublicGreen Party 0 2,370,765 did not compete 53,343 5,375,090 1.0%Extra-parliamentary
 DenmarkSocialist People's Party 364,895 2.758.855 13.2% 272,304 3,569,521 7.7%Confidence and supply
 EstoniaEstonian Greens 5,824 332,104 1.8% 10,226 561,131 1.8%Extra-parliamentary
 FinlandGreen League 292,892 1,830,045 16.0% 354,194 3,081,916 11.5%Government
 FranceEurope Ecology – The Greens 3,055,023 22,654,164 13.5% 973,527 22,655,174 4.3%Opposition
 GermanyAlliance 90/The Greens 7,677,071 37,396,88920.5% 6,852,206 46,442,023 14.8%Government
 GreeceEcologist Greens 49,099 5,656,122 0.9% 0 5,769,542 did not competeExtra-parliamentary
 HungaryLMP – Hungary's Green Party 75,498 3,470,257 2.2% 404,429 5,732,283 7.1%Opposition
 IrelandGreen Party[lower-alpha 17] 190,755 1,678,003 11.4% 155,695 2,183,489 7.1%Government
 ItalyGreen Europe 621,492 26,783,732 2.3% 1.071.663 29,172,085 3.6%Opposition
 South TyrolExtra-parliamentary
 LuxembourgThe Greens 39.535 217,086 18.9% 32.177 216,177 15.1%Government
 MaltaAD+PD 7,142 260,212 did not compete 0 310,665 did not competeExtra-parliamentary
 NetherlandsGroenLinks 599,283 5,497,81310.9% 537,584 10,422,852 5.2%TBD (Election)
 PolandThe Greens EPP 13,647,31138.5%[12] EPP 18,470,710 27.4%[13]Opposition
 PortugalEcologist Party "The Greens" LEFT 3,314,414 6.9%[14] LEFT 5,340,890 6.3%[14]Opposition
LIVRE 60,575 3,084,505 1.8%[15] 5,417,715 71,232 1.3%[16]
 RomaniaGreen Party 0 9,069,822 did not compete 23,085 5,908,331 0.4%Extra-parliamentary
 SloveniaYouth Party – European Greens 0 482,075 did not compete 0 891,097 did not competeExtra-parliamentary
 SpainEquo 0 22,426,066 did not compete 582,306 24,258,228 2.4%Confidence and supply
 CataloniaEsquerra Verda[lower-alpha 18] LEFT Run with UP[17] 0 did not competeGovernment
Catalunya en Comú LEFT Run with UP[17] LEFT Run with UPGovernment
 SwedenGreen Party 478,258 4,151,470 11.5% 285,899 6,535,271 4.4%Government
European Greens 15.016.430 176.860.279 8,49% 12.047.080 212.120.443 5,67%

Partnerships

See also

Notes

  1. Michaele Schreyer for Alliance '90/The Greens
  2. includes 6 independent MEPs elected for the Europe Écologie group
  3. Includes 14 MEPs, from 8 countries, NOT affiliated with EGP member parties.
  4. Dutch-speaking electoral college
  5. Flemish seats in the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, including seats for bilingual Brussels.
  6. All seats for the French and German-speaking electoral colleges.
  7. All seats for French and German-speaking Communities in the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, including seats for bilingual Brussels.
  8. The Irish Green Party operates also in Northern Ireland as the "Green Party in Northern Ireland". The Northern Irish party is separately listed in this table although it does not have separate membership in the EGP.
  9. Ernest Urtasun is member of both Catalunya en Comú and Green Left.
  10. Catalan seats in the Congress of Deputies; two Catalunya en Comú diputies are also members of Green Left.
  11. English and Welsh seats in the House of Commons.
  12. Scottish seats in the House of Commons
  13. It does not have separate membership in the EGP because it is a part of the Irish Green Party.
  14. Northern Irish seats in the House of Commons.
  15. Ålandic seats in the Parliament of Finland.
  16. Full member from 1994 to 2016. Downgraded to associate member in 2016.
  17. The Irish Green Party operates also in Northern Ireland as the "Green Party in Northern Ireland". The Northern Irish party is separately listed in this table although it does not have separate membership in the EGP.
  18. Esquerra Verda is member party of Catalunya en Comú.

References

  1. Nordsieck, Wolfram (2019). "European Union". Parties and Elections in Europe. Archived from the original on 8 June 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  2. History of the European Green Party at greens-efa.eu
  3. History of the European Green Parts at europeangreens.eu
  4. Local Councillors Network
  5. "Directory". Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  6. "Results of the 2014 European elections – European Parliament". results-elections2014.eu. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  7. "Statutes of the European Green Party" (PDF). europeangreens.eu. 20 May 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 January 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  8. "EGP Rule Book" (PDF). europeangreens.eu.
  9. "Adopted Annex B - EGP Membership List - 37th EGP EoCongress, Vienna 3 June 2023" (PDF). European Greens. European Green Party. p. 24. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  10. In a coalition with Yes, Bulgaria! and Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria as Democratic Bulgaria
  11. with SYPOL
  12. Parties included in the coalition are the Democratic Left Alliance (since 16 February), The Greens (since 17 February), Now! (since 18 February), Civic Platform (since 21 February), Modern, Democratic Party (since 22 February), Polish People's Party, Union of European Democrats (since 23 February), Social Democracy of Poland (since 2 March), Liberty and Equality (since 3 March), League of Polish Families (since 11 March) and Feminist Initiative (since 15 March). The Coalition also gained the support from Barbara Nowacka and her movement, the Polish Initiative and civic organisation Committee for the Defence of Democracy. The Coalition came in second place in the 2019 European Parliament election with 38.5% of the vote, returning 22 MEPs.
  13. The party participate in the 2019 Polish parliamentary election as part of the Civic Coalition.
  14. These are the results for Unitary Democratic Coalition.
  15. "2019 European Parliament election in Portugal", Wikipedia, 12 June 2023, retrieved 19 October 2023
  16. "2022 Portuguese legislative election", Wikipedia, 8 August 2023, retrieved 19 October 2023
  17. On 2 July 2020, former ICV members announced the founding of a new party and that it would be part of the En Comú Podem, with David Cid, Marta Ribas and Ernest Urtasun being members of the new party.
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