AM-30-1 to B-R1: More than Ever: Let’s Make Our Future Green

In 2024, the European Greens ran on a message of courage. Because courage is
exactly what our politics is about right now.

The world in 2024 is very different from 2019. The pandemic, the wars in Ukraine
and the Middle East, and deep democratic and social crises changed the world we
live in. More than ever, we need ambitious answers that can meet the challenges
of our times.

We fought the European election with our most far-reaching campaign ever, and we
have not stopped since. Building up to the elections, we put more energy than
ever before into expanding the Green family, seizing the green transition as a
chance to build a more just society, and strengthening our alliances with
movements and civil society.

The European election results were mixed for the Green family. Breakthroughs in
many countries were tempered by major losses in others and rising far-right
forces. But, looking beyond the numbers, the foundations for future green
victories have been built. These advances are the starting points for the next
five years:

• The Green family elected MEPs from more EU countries than ever before. The
  Greens are now far better represented in southern and eastern Europe, a
  development that strengthens and enriches us.

• Campaigning on a Green and Social Deal, we put forward our offer of a
  green transition based on social justice. Making the case that green
  policies improve lives and protect livelihoods can convince voters.

• While their gains are shocking, the far right is beatable. At the EU
  level, we exposed its agenda and applied the pressure necessary to keep
  Meloni’s far right of the majority. In the Nordics, the Netherlands and
  Italy, we bounced back and showed that Greens and progressives can win.

• We have strong allies across society. We built close ties with civil
  society, from green and social NGOs to trade unions and green businesses.
  During the campaign, they recognised our platform’s strength and strongly
  supported our priorities.

In the campaign leading up to the 2024 election, we faced several important challenges that should serve as key areas for us to focus on in the years to come:

• Unlike in 2019, setting the agenda on climate and environmental issues was less prominent. Despite the urgency of climate disruption, there is no more mass mobilization in the streets around environmental issues. Also, electoral debates were framed around economic issues of immediate and individual concern, with purchasing power dominating electoral discussions all over the EU.

• At the same time, Green parties are no longer the sole advocates for environmental issues. In many European countries, we now face competition from parties that have integrated climate policies into their platforms. Greens must work to ensure that our message remains distinct, relevant, and credible.

• European cooperation has always been at the heart of Green parties. However, the EU faces setbacks, and so do pro-European parties. Moreover, the EU's current trajectory does not meet the challenges of our times. Greens need to challenge EU policies while continuing to defend European cooperation. How can Greens not only defend Europe, but also advocate for a better, more inclusive Europe?

After the elections, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen achieved a
majority with our support based on a clear promise to defend the EU European
Green Deal and ensure a pro-European, democratic future for the EU. This promise
must be upheld.

But the dangers of Conservative and far-right cooperation are growing. Part of
the European People’s Party is already working hand in hand with the far right
to roll back green and social legislation, gambling with human rights and
endangering self-determination. They will enable impunity for authoritarians
like Viktor Orbán, normalize Giorgia Meloni’s post-fascist government, and
harden inhuman and failed migration policies. It is the same dangerous path that
has brought the far right to power in several member states.

As Greens, our role in this mandate is to hold the political forces leading the
European institutions to account and fight back against the right-wing drift. By
taking responsibility in the election of the Commission president, we have shown
ourselves ready to build bridges and compromise to realise our positive agenda.

Against the threat of far-right influence, we are prepared to support an
alliance of the democratic centre but if and only if it can also advance our
political priorities and deliver for people and planet. Throughout the mandate,
we will fight for every opening to make progress on environmental protection,
social justice and fundamental rights and democracy. Outside of the
institutions, we will be building our movement at every level of power and in
every European country.

Over the next five years, the key fights for the European Greens at all levels
will be:

• Defending the European Green Deal and backing it with common European and
  national public investment that strengthens economic prosperity and
  protects our societies from the climate crisis

• Improving daily lives by strengthening green public services like social
  housing and public transport and European protections for social rights

• Standing up for fundamental rights and the rule of law wherever they are
  under threat: in the European Union, at our borders, and anywhere in the
  world

• Building long-term peace and security by welcoming new members and
  reforming the EU so it can take decisions effectively and become a
  credible international actor

Looking at the challenges ahead of us, we will need to fight more than ever for
our green future. There is no ignoring the many crises European societies face.
Many people are struggling to get by after hard years of the pandemic, energy
crisis, and economic downturn. The severity of the climate and environmental
crisis is unrelenting. 2024 has been the hottest year on record and this autumn
has seen catastrophic flooding right across Europe, with an especially tragic
loss of life in the Valencia region.

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, war returned to Europe, threatening
freedom and security across the continent. There can be no turning our backs on
Ukraine. It is fighting for freedom and its future lies in the European Union.
As Greens, we support continued economic and military aid to Ukraine and future
EU membership. Our assistance to Ukraine must enable a climate-resilient
reconstruction, built on renewable energy, modern infrastructure, and a
sustainable and inclusive economy. Our support to Ukraine must ensure its future
prosperity and should take the form of grants not loans.

The explosion of violence in the Middle East is a further reminder of the horror
of war, the fragility of the international system and the need for the European
Union to step up in world politics. After the re-election of Donald Trump, we
stand in solidarity with everyone in the United States and globally threatened
by his authoritarian agenda. In a world of fear, the European Union must become
a beacon of hope and move forward towards more unity, ambition and alliances
with other parts of the world.

For everybody who wants an ambitious European Union that answers these
challenges and keeps the far right out of power, the European Greens are there
to represent them. As a European political party, we will build on our
achievements and set out a new vision for the future of our societies and the
European project.

This effort will be built together with the many actors who are fighting to make
a fair and just green transition a reality and defeat the rise of the far right.
We will also strengthen our cooperation with youth movements and continue to
invest in our networks connecting Greens at the local level.

As Greens, we believe that the just and fair green transition is our future. A
greener society will be a more just society, with expanded public services,
affordable energy bills, and healthier surroundings. We represent the conviction
that it is not only possible but achievable and desirable. Step by step, a
greener, fairer society that protects the rights of all can be built.

As the constructive pro-climate, pro-European democratic force, we are there to
advance this green project, for the European Union as at every level of
political power.

If we stand united with our partners, a majority for the green transition,
social justice, and a united European future is achievable. It is achievable in
society, in every member state, and in the European Union as a whole.

Over the next five years, we will not stop fighting for it. The future is green.