About: Greens
Putting the ‘European’ into the European elections
When the so-called “Spitzenkandidaten” or lead candidate method for designating the Commission president was introduced in 2014, it was celebrated as a democratic revolution. Five years later, it is difficult to find anyone seriously questioning the method - but the enthusiasm has somewhat washed away, writes Christopher Glück.
Bulgaria under fire for ill-treatment of asylum-seekers
French lawyers will file a complaint against Bulgaria and ask the European Commission to start an infringement procedure for inhumane treatment of asylum seekers by the country’s authorities, the Green/EFA group announced on Tuesday (26 June).
Greens call on EU governments to stay away from Russia World Cup
Rebecca Harms, an expert on Eastern Europe of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, has initiated an open letter calling on EU governments to stay away from the FIFA World Cup taking place in Russia in June 2018.
Key EU lawmakers committee to query Selmayr’s promotion at hearing
The European Parliament's budgetary control committee wants a senior EU Commission official to clarify the sudden promotion of its president's chief aide to the top of the EU civil service, underlining the continuing unease among lawmakers over the move.
Bulgarian nationalists go ballistic over ‘green Jihadist Ska Keller’
Since her flight touched down in Sofia on 8 February, Ska Keller, co-President of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, became the target of Bulgarian nationalists.
Bulgarian environment minister under MEP fire over his views on climate change
Bulgaria’s environment minister was under fire on Wednesday (24 January) in the Environment Committee of the European Parliament over his positions on climate change and his support for a recent decision to allow construction of tourist facilities in the Pirin national park.
Over A Coffee with Ska Keller MEP, Co-Chair of the Greens
Ska Keller, Co-Chair of the Greens in the European Parliament, joins EURACTIV Reporter, Brian Maguire, Over A Coffee.
France to ratify CETA next year, seeks ‘green veto’
France's parliament is expected to ratify the CETA trade deal with Canada around the second half of 2018, French Environment Minister Nicolas Hulot told reporters yesterday (25 October). But he made it clear that this will include “climate veto” powers.
German coalition talks reject Macron’s eurozone budget plan
German parties exploring a coalition government have dealt an early blow to French President Emmanuel Macron's hopes for more expansive fiscal policies from Berlin, backing a balanced budget and rejecting the idea of a separate pot of cash for the eurozone.
Mission impossible? Merkel’s coalition conundrum just got harder
She has earned a reputation as Europe's chief crisis manager. Now Germany's Angela Merkel must forge a government out of an awkward group of allies bent on nailing down a coalition deal so tight it risks limiting her room to act if crisis strikes again.
Schulz spells out conditions for coalition government
Chancellor Angela Merkel's Social Democrat (SPD) challenger said on Sunday (10 September) his party would not form any alliances after the 24 September election unless fair wages, free education, secure pensions and a commitment to a democratic Europe were guaranteed.
‘No mood for change’, one month before Germany vote
With a month to go until Germans head to the polls, Angela Merkel looks set to cruise to a fourth term as chancellor of a country showing little appetite for change.
Tainted egg scandal sparks political row in Germany
A German state minister charged Wednesday (16 August) that over three times more eggs contaminated with the insecticide fipronil had entered the country than the national government has admitted.
The ‘missing scenario’: There are alternatives for Europeans
In order to revive the European project, the progressive forces must have an ambitious vision that goes beyond an intergovernmental system and implements a genuine Community method, MEPs from the Progressive Caucus alliance write.
Support for Germany’s Greens falls, hurting chances of leftist coalition
Support for Germany's opposition Greens has fallen to its lowest level in almost 15 years, a Forsa poll showed on Wednesday (19 April), dimming prospects for a left-leaning coalition snatching power from Chancellor Angela Merkel in the September election.
British MPs finally begin debating Brexit
Some seven months after the bombshell referendum, British MPs finally began debating Brexit on Tuesday (31 January) – although only to grant the government permission to trigger Article 50.
Greens’ Parliament candidate: ‘I’m actually radical’
One of the outside candidates for the European Parliament Presidency explains why a Brit, a woman and a Green should get the job – even if her respectable appearance and former job as a teacher doesn’t prevent her from going on demos.
Italy’s 5 Star divorces UKIP, begins relationship with ALDE
Italy's maverick 5 Star Movement should cut ties with the anti-European Union UK Independence Party (UKIP) and consider hooking up with the Liberals in the European Parliament, 5 Star founder Beppe Grillo said yesterday (8 January).
Greens pre-empt Monti group report with alternative paper
The Green/EFA group stole the show ahead of the announcement of the results of the work of the “Monti group” on own resources for the future EU budget, by tabling an alternative report focusing on “green own resources”.
Austria’s Nazi past encroaches on election campaign
Austria's most infamous son, Adolf Hitler, is rarely mentioned in his home country. So it came as a shock to many when presidential candidate Alexander Van der Bellen reached into a folder during a recent live TV debate and produced a photo montage including two images of the Führer.
Lithuanian farmers’ party agree on coalition with Social Democrats
Lithuania's Peasants and Greens Union said yesterday (9 November) it had agreed a deal with the Social Democrats to form a coalition that will focus on reducing inequality in a country where more than a fifth of the population lives below or close to the bread-line.
Lithuanians vote for change, handing farmers’ party surprise win
Lithuanians fed up with low wages and a labour exodus voted for major changes in yesterday’s (23 October) general election, handing victory to a farmers' party that previously held just one seat in parliament.
Neo-Nazi issues death threat to Austrian presidential hopeful
A death threat by an apparent neo-Nazi on Twitter has prompted Austria's independent presidential candidate Alexander Van der Bellen to reinforce his personal security with members of the police special forces, a spokesman said on Wednesday (October 12).