In line with their tradition of gender-balanced leadership, the European Green Party has selected Terry Reintke and Bas Eickhout as their Spitzenkandidaten for the 2024 EU Parliament elections.
Who are Terry Reintke and Bas Eickhout?
Theresa Reintke was born on May 9, 1987, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. She studied political science at the Free University of Berlin and became actively involved in politics through her work with the Green Youth, the youth organisation of Alliance 90/The Greens in Germany. Reintke has been a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) since 2014, where she has focused on gender equality, LGBTI rights, and anti-discrimination policies.
Bas Eickhout was born on October 8, 1976, in Groesbeek, Netherlands. He studied chemistry and environmental science at Radboud University Nijmegen, earning a master’s degree in both fields. Before entering politics, Eickhout worked as a researcher at the Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment. He has been an MEP since 2009, and is known for his work on climate policy, energy, and environmental legislation.
Interesting facts about their lives
- As a teenager, Terry Reintke played football, despite not being very skilled at it. She credits the experience of being part of a team for teaching her valuable lessons about life, friendship, and happiness.
- Reintke cites Turkish LGBTI activists and Polish feminists as the people who have most inspired her in her career, admiring their fight for a more equal and free society against the odds.
- Her current partner is Green politician Mélanie Vogel. She is a member of the French Senate, representing French citizens living abroad, and the co-chair of the European Green Party, alongside Thomas Waitz. They live together in Brussels.
- In 2020, Bas Eickhout received the Environment award at The Parliament Magazine’s annual MEP Awards, recognizing his work on environmental issues.
- He co-authored a report for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which contributed to the IPCC winning the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize alongside Al Gore for their efforts in highlighting man-made climate change.
- Growing up in the Dutch countryside fostered his deep appreciation for nature, leading him to pursue a career in environmental science and politics.
Career highlights and political milestones
Elected as an MEP in 2014 at the age of 27, Reintke quickly established herself as a prominent voice for gender equality, LGBTI rights, and social justice. She co-chaired the European Parliament’s LGBTI Intergroup, showcasing her dedication to advancing LGBTI+ rights across Europe. Her influence and leadership in her party grew and in 2022, she became co-president of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament at just 36 years old.
A vocal critic of the EU’s migration deal in 2024, she condemned policies she viewed as undermining human rights and the right to asylum, advocating for an EU search and rescue mission and safe pathways for migrants. She also authored an important report in 2022 highlighting the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and gender equality issues.
Bas Eickhout is a leading figure in the European Parliament on climate change, environmental policy, and the European Green Deal. He played an instrumental role in drafting and negotiating key aspects of the EU’s 2030 climate and energy policy framework, pushing for higher emissions reduction targets.
As a vice-chair of the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, he has worked on major EU legislation related to air quality, biodiversity protection, and chemical safety regulations. Eickhout is a strong proponent of the Circular Economy package, advocating for policies that promote recycling, waste reduction, and sustainable resource use to increase EU competitiveness.
Securing the 2024 nomination
Eickhout and Reintke were elected as Spitzenkandidaten for the 2024 European Parliament elections by delegates from European Green parties at the European Green Party’s congress in Lyon, France, from February 2-4, 2024. Eickhout, who had earlier secured the nomination from the Dutch GreenLeft and Labour parties, and Reintke, the Co-President of the Greens/EFA group, were chosen for their prominent roles and vision for a green, social, and inclusive Europe. Both hold a firm progressive stance against rising far-right forces.
Campaign strategies and voter appeal
Reintke and Eickhout’s campaign focuses on three primary areas: combating climate change, promoting social justice, and enhancing democracy in the EU.
The Greens’ campaign traditionally emphasises the urgent need for comprehensive climate action. Reintke and Eickhout advocate for a Green New Deal for Europe, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. They propose significant investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable infrastructure to create green jobs and reduce carbon emissions.
In particular, Eickhout, with his extensive background in climate policy, highlights the importance of binding targets for emissions reduction and renewable energy adoption. Reintke’s focus on gender equality and LGBTI rights is central to the Greens’ social justice agenda. The campaign calls for stronger anti-discrimination laws and policies to protect vulnerable communities. Reintke and Eickhout call for greater transparency and accountability in EU institutions, while proposing reforms to enhance citizens’ participation in the decision-making process. They also advocate for protecting digital rights and ensuring data privacy, reflecting the growing importance of digital democracy in the modern era.
While the Greens are expected to lose several seats in their strongholds like France and Germany, they are still positioning themselves as a progressive alternative to counter the predicted rise of far-right, Eurosceptic forces.
Main challenges and controversies
While Reintke and Eickhout bring strong credentials and a clear vision to their campaign, they and the European Greens face some key challenges, the first being stopping a further loss of votes.
Another major challenge is raising their profile across Europe. Despite being known in their respective countries and in Brussels, they need to increase their visibility across the EU to attract a broader voter base. Competing against more established candidates from larger parties, with better resources, they must effectively communicate their message and engage with diverse communities across Europe.
They need to translate the urgency of addressing climate change into feasible policies, while ensuring international cooperation on these global issues. The transition to renewable energy sources is another complex issue, requiring a just transition for workers in traditional sectors. The Greens must aim to better communicate around balancing environmental sustainability with economic growth, as many voters fear that stringent green policies might lead to job losses and economic slowdowns. Ensuring that their message resonates with both urban and rural voters, who may have different concerns and priorities, is crucial.
Public perception and misinformation pose further obstacles. The Greens must combat the stigma of being perceived as a single-issue party and counteract misinformation about climate science and green policies. Overcoming perceptions of extremism, Reintke and Eickhout must present practical, realistic solutions to pressing issues, countering the narrative that green policies are economically detrimental by highlighting their long-term benefits for sustainability and social justice.
Addressing social and economic inequalities while engaging both urban and rural voters is also crucial. Polarisation, both political and social, exacerbates these challenges, complicating the task of building consensus and effectively communicating their message. The fragmented political landscape, combined with the rise of populism and nationalism, makes forming effective coalitions challenging.
The road ahead: 2024 elections outlook
After the elections, the Greens are likely to face a challenging phase, with a predicted decrease in seats. However, their role in the likely fragmented setup of the new European Parliament could still be significant.
As one of potential kingmakers, the Greens might be able to leverage their position to ensure that climate and social justice policies remain on the agenda, albeit through negotiated compromises. Their ability to influence the legislative process will hinge on their negotiation skills and strategic alliances with centrist parties, balancing progressive ambitions with pragmatic coalition politics. Besides climate action, the future handling of the issue of migration might be another important bargaining chip for the Greens.
Whatever the outcome might be at the end of the year, The Greens’ influence in the Parliament will remain essential in maintaining momentum on existing climate policies and pushing for sustainable development within the EU framework.
