European Green Party
European Green Party | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President | Mélanie Vogel and Thomas Waitz |
| Secretary-General | Benedetta De Marte |
| Founded | 21 February 2004 |
| Preceded by | European Federation of Green Parties |
| Headquarters | Rue du Taciturne 34, 1000 Brussels, Belgium |
| Think tank | Green European Foundation |
| Ideology |
Green politics Pro-Europeanism |
| Political position | Centre-left to left-wing |
| International affiliation | Global Greens |
| European Parliament group | Greens–European Free Alliance |
| Colours | Green |
| European Parliament |
52 / 705 |
| Website | |
|
europeangreens | |
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.
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.
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. 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.
They are 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), 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.
| 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 |
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 | 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 | 6.7% | 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
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.
The governing bodies of the EGP are the Council and the Committee.
- 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.
- 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 – | Mélanie Vogel | EELV | 05/2022 – Present | Benedetta De Marte | Riga, Latvia, November 2022 |
| Thomas Waitz | Die Grünen | 05/2022 – Present | |||
| Nov 2019 – May 2022 | Evelyne Huytebroeck | Ecolo | 11/2019 – 05/2022 | Mar Garcia | Tampere, Finland, November 2019 |
| Thomas Waitz | Die Grünen | 11/2019 – 05/2022 | |||
| Nov 2015 – Nov 2019 | Monica Frassoni | Federazione dei Verdi | 11/2015 – 11/2019 | Mar Garcia | Lyon, France, November 2015 |
| Reinhard Bütikofer | Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen | 11/2015 – 11/2019 | |||
| Nov 2012 – Nov 2015 | Monica Frassoni | Federazione dei Verdi | 11/2012 – 11/2015 |
Jacqueline Cremers (until end 2014)
Mar Garcia (from January 2015) |
Athens, Greece, November 2012 |
| Reinhard Bütikofer | Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen | 11/2012 – 11/2015 | |||
| Oct 2009 – Nov 2012 | Monica Frassoni | Federazione dei Verdi | 10/2009 – 11/2012 | Jacqueline Cremers | Malmö, Sweden, October 2009 |
| Philippe Lamberts | Ecolo | 10/2009 – 11/2012 | |||
| May 2006 – Oct 2009 | Ulrike Lunacek | Die Grünen | 05/2006 – 10/2009 | Juan Behrend | Helsinki, Finland, May 2006 |
| Philippe Lamberts | Ecolo | 05/2006 – 10/2009 | |||
| May 2003 – May 2006 | Grazia Francescato | Federazione dei Verdi | 05/2003 – 05/2006 | Arnold Cassola | Saint Andrews, Malta, May 2003 |
| 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:
- Balkan Network
- Mediterranean Network
- Gender Network
- European Queer Greens
- Local Councillors Networks
- European Green Disability Network
- European Network of Green Seniors
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | Green Party of Albania | Not in EU |
0 / 140 |
Extra-parliamentary | |
| Austria | The Greens – The Green Alternative |
3 / 18 |
26 / 183 |
Government | |
| Belgium | Flemish | Groen |
1 / 12
|
8 / 102
|
Government |
|
French German |
Ecolo |
2 / 9
|
13 / 63
|
Government | |
| Bulgaria | Green Movement |
0 / 17 |
3 / 240 |
Government | |
| Cyprus | Movement of Ecologists – Citizens' Cooperation |
0 / 6 |
2 / 56 |
Opposition | |
| Czech Republic | Green Party |
0 / 22 |
0 / 200 |
Extra-parliamentary | |
| Denmark | Green Left |
2 / 13 |
15 / 179 |
Opposition | |
| Estonia | Estonian Greens |
0 / 7 |
0 / 101 |
Extra-parliamentary | |
| Finland | Green League |
3 / 14 |
13 / 200 |
Opposition | |
| France | Europe Ecology – The Greens |
11 / 74 |
16 / 577 |
Opposition | |
| Georgia | Greens Party of Georgia | Not in EU |
0 / 150 |
Extra-parliamentary | |
| Germany | Alliance 90/The Greens |
21 / 96 |
118 / 736 |
Government | |
| Greece | Ecologist Greens |
0 / 21 |
0 / 300 |
Extra-parliamentary | |
| Hungary | LMP – Hungary's Green Party |
0 / 21 |
5 / 199 |
Opposition | |
| Ireland | Green Party |
2 / 13 |
12 / 160 |
Government | |
| Italy | Green Europe |
0 / 76 |
6 / 400 |
Opposition | |
| South Tyrol | Greens |
0 / 76 |
0 / 400 |
Extra-parliamentary | |
| Latvia | The Progressives |
0 / 8 |
10 / 100 |
Government | |
| Luxembourg | The Greens |
1 / 6 |
4 / 60 |
Opposition | |
| Malta | AD+PD |
0 / 6 |
0 / 79 |
Extra-parliamentary | |
| Moldova | Ecologist Green Party | Not in EU |
0 / 101 |
Extra-parliamentary | |
| Montenegro | United Reform Action | Not in EU |
4 / 81 |
Opposition | |
| Netherlands | GroenLinks |
3 / 26 |
13 / 150 |
Opposition | |
| North Macedonia | Democratic Renewal of Macedonia | Not in EU |
1 / 120 |
Confidence and supply | |
| Norway | Green Party | Not in EU |
3 / 169 |
Opposition | |
| Poland | The Greens |
1 / 51 |
3 / 460 |
Government | |
| Portugal | LIVRE |
0 / 21 |
1 / 230 |
Opposition | |
| Ecologist Party "The Greens" |
0 / 21 |
0 / 230 |
Extra-parliamentary | ||
| Romania | Green Party |
0 / 32 |
0 / 330 |
Extra-parliamentary | |
| Slovenia | Youth Party – European Greens |
0 / 8 |
0 / 90 |
Extra-parliamentary | |
| Spain | Greens Equo |
0 / 54 |
0 / 350 |
Extra-parliamentary | |
| Catalonia | Green Left |
1 / 54
|
2 / 48
|
Government | |
| Sweden | Green Party |
3 / 20 |
18 / 349 |
Opposition | |
| Switzerland | Green Party of Switzerland | Not in EU |
28 / 200 |
Opposition | |
| Ukraine | Party of Greens of Ukraine | Not in EU |
0 / 450 |
Extra-parliamentary | |
| United Kingdom |
England Wales |
Green Party of England and Wales | Not in EU |
1 / 573
|
Opposition |
| Scotland | Scottish Greens |
0 / 59
|
Extra-parliamentary | ||
| Northern Ireland | Green Party in Northern Ireland |
0 / 18
|
Extra-parliamentary | ||
| sources | |||||
Associate members
| Country | Name | MEPs | National MPs | Government status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azerbaijan | Azerbaijan Green Party | Not in EU |
0 / 125 |
Extra-parliamentary | |
| Croatia | Green Alternative – Sustainable Development of Croatia |
0 / 11 |
0 / 151 |
Extra-parliamentary | |
| Finland | Åland | Sustainable Initiative |
0 / 13 |
0 / 1
|
Extra-parliamentary |
| Hungary | Dialogue – The Greens' Party |
0 / 21 |
6 / 199 |
Opposition | |
| Portugal | People-Animals-Nature |
0 / 21 |
1 / 230 |
Opposition | |
| Russia | Union of Greens of Russia | Not in EU |
0 / 450 |
Extra-parliamentary | |
| Slovenia | Vesna – Green Party |
0 / 8 |
0 / 90 |
Extra-parliamentary | |
| Spain | Catalonia | Catalunya en Comú |
1 / 59
|
5 / 48
|
Government |
| Turkey | Green Left Party | Not in EU |
55 / 600 |
Opposition | |
| sources | |||||
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 | |
| Hungary | 2015 | Green Left | n/a – defunct | |
| Latvia | 2019 | Latvian Green Party | – |
4 / 100
|
| Netherlands | 2017 | The Greens | – | - |
| Russia | 2016 | Green Alternative | Not in EU | - |
| Spain | 2012 | Confederation 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
| Organisation | Institution | Number of seats |
|---|---|---|
| European Union | European Commission |
0 / 28
|
|
European Council (Heads of Government) |
0 / 28
|
|
|
Council of the European Union (Participation in Government) |
6 / 27
|
|
| European Parliament |
52 / 751
|
|
| Council of Europe | Parliamentary Assembly |
3 / 318
|
Election results
| Country | Name | Votes | Total | Last EU election | Votes | Total | Last national election | Government status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | The Greens – The Green Alternative | 532,193 | 3,834,662 | 14.1% | 664,055 | 4,835,469 | 13.9% | Government | |
| Belgium | Flemish | Groen | 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 | |||
| Bulgaria | The Greens | EPP | 2,015,320 | 6.1% | EPP | 2,658,548 | 6.3% | Opposition | |
| Cyprus | Movement of Ecologists – Citizens' Cooperation | 9,232 | 280,935 | 3.3% | 15,762 | 357,712 | 4.4% | Opposition | |
| Czech Republic | Green Party | 0 | 2,370,765 | did not compete | 53,343 | 5,375,090 | 1.0% | Extra-parliamentary | |
| Denmark | Socialist People's Party | 364,895 | 2.758.855 | 13.2% | 272,304 | 3,569,521 | 7.7% | Confidence and supply | |
| Estonia | Estonian Greens | 5,824 | 332,104 | 1.8% | 10,226 | 561,131 | 1.8% | Extra-parliamentary | |
| Finland | Green League | 292,892 | 1,830,045 | 16.0% | 354,194 | 3,081,916 | 11.5% | Government | |
| France | Europe Ecology – The Greens | 3,055,023 | 22,654,164 | 13.5% | 973,527 | 22,655,174 | 4.3% | Opposition | |
| Germany | Alliance 90/The Greens | 7,677,071 | 37,396,889 | 20.5% | 6,852,206 | 46,442,023 | 14.8% | Government | |
| Greece | Ecologist Greens | 49,099 | 5,656,122 | 0.9% | 0 | 5,769,542 | did not compete | Extra-parliamentary | |
| Hungary | LMP – Hungary's Green Party | 75,498 | 3,470,257 | 2.2% | 404,429 | 5,732,283 | 7.1% | Opposition | |
| Ireland | Green Party | 190,755 | 1,678,003 | 11.4% | 155,695 | 2,183,489 | 7.1% | Government | |
| Italy | Green Europe | 621,492 | 26,783,732 | 2.3% | 1.071.663 | 29,172,085 | 3.6% | Opposition | |
| South Tyrol | Extra-parliamentary | ||||||||
| Luxembourg | The Greens | 39.535 | 217,086 | 18.9% | 32.177 | 216,177 | 15.1% | Government | |
| Malta | AD+PD | 7,142 | 260,212 | did not compete | 0 | 310,665 | did not compete | Extra-parliamentary | |
| Netherlands | GroenLinks | 599,283 | 5,497,813 | 10.9% | 1.643.073 | 10,432,726 | 15.75% | TBD (Election) | |
| Poland | The Greens | EPP | 13,647,311 | 38.5% | EPP | 18,470,710 | 27.4% | Opposition | |
| Portugal | Ecologist Party "The Greens" | LEFT | 3,314,414 | 6.9% | LEFT | 5,340,890 | 6.3% | Opposition | |
| LIVRE | 60,575 | 3,084,505 | 1.8% | 5,417,715 | 71,232 | 1.3% | |||
| Romania | Green Party | 0 | 9,069,822 | did not compete | 23,085 | 5,908,331 | 0.4% | Extra-parliamentary | |
| Slovenia | Youth Party – European Greens | 0 | 482,075 | did not compete | 0 | 891,097 | did not compete | Extra-parliamentary | |
| Spain | Equo | 0 | 22,426,066 | did not compete | 582,306 | 24,258,228 | 2.4% | Confidence and supply | |
| Catalonia | Esquerra Verda | LEFT | Run with UP | 0 | did not compete | Government | |||
| Catalunya en Comú | LEFT | Run with UP | LEFT | Run with UP | Government | ||||
| Sweden | Green 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
- Federation of Young European Greens
- Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament
- Global Greens
- Green European Foundation