The European Greens Party (EGP) champions an agenda rooted in environmental sustainability, social justice, and human rights. As a key proponent of green politics on the continent, it brings together a diverse coalition of green and eco-friendly parties from across Europe, advocating for urgent action on climate change, biodiversity preservation, and a sustainable, green economy.
Prominent national member parties include Germany’s Alliance 90/The Greens, France’s The Ecologists (LE), Italy’s Europa Verde and the Dutch GroenLinks. The Greens stand as a powerful advocate for the environmental agenda in European politics, shaping Europe’s sustainable and social future. And while they will find it hard to match their result from 2019, they could still remain an important player after June. So, let us see what is ahead for this political family and its Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) group in the European Parliament.
The Greens’ ideology and commitment
Central to their philosophy is the belief in a holistic approach to policy-making that integrates environmental protection with social equity and economic viability. The European Greens emphasise the transition to renewable energy sources, sustainable agriculture, and green technologies as fundamental to combating climate change and ensuring a livable planet for future generations.
Moreover, the EGP strongly supports the advancement of democratic values, transparency in governance, and the protection of civil liberties. It advocates for a more inclusive and participatory democracy where citizens have a greater say in the decisions that affect their lives and the environment. The European Greens also prioritise social policies that promote equality, diversity, and the protection of minority and LGBTQI+ rights, aligning with their vision of a fair and equitable society.
The power players: who’s who in EGP
The most influential player of the European Greens is Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, the most influential woman in current German politics and one of the most influential in Europe. Another important figure is her compatriot, Robert Habeck, who holds the position of Vice Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
When it comes to notable MEPs, most prominent are The Greens/EFA Group presidents Philippe Lamberts from Belgium and Terry Reintke from Germany. Reintke will be one of the two Spitzenkandidaten for the Greens in the upcoming election, together with Dutch MEP and European Parliament Vice-President- Bas Eickhout. Another EP Vice-President who will be important in this campaign isMarie Toussaint, who heads the French Green list for the EU elections.
Key contributors and internal dynamics
The Greens are mostly losing support, according to the latest polls, due to a voter backlash against climate protection policies that raise energy and motoring costs and impose new regulations on farmers. Still their most important voter base remains Germany and support there is very much related to the fortunes of the current government and the popularity of Foreign Minister Baerbock. Currently, 24 out of 72 for the Greens/EFA Group in the EP are held by German MEPs. Polls show they might lose up to 10 seats in Germany, so the focus of the campaign there should be to limit the damage and preserve their stronghold as much as possible.
With 10 MEPs, their second strongest voter base is that of France’s The Ecologists (LE). While it is predicted the Greens in France might lose a couple of seats as well, the ongoing intricacies and unpredictability of French politics offers a chance to potentially mitigate losses or even gain support, if managing to capture shifting voter sentiments.
Simultaneously, they are expected to consolidate their results in Italy, and make partial gains in the Baltics, namely in Lithuania and Latvia. Moreover, the most interesting battleground for the Greens this year could be Spain, with the potential to significantly bolster their representation by gaining some additional seats there, if the recent rise of new electoral platform Sumar results in them joining the EGP or the Greens/EFA group. So far, Sumar leader, Spanish Minister for Labour and Social Economy, Yolanda Diaz expressed intentions to work both with the Greens and the European Left.
Voter base insights
The voter base of the European Greens consists of a diverse coalition of environmentally conscious citizens, young voters, and those advocating for progressive social policies. This demographic is deeply concerned about climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation, and they prioritise these issues in their political and personal choices. Green voters are typically well-educated and often found in urban areas where environmental awareness and sustainable living practices are more prominent.
In countries with a strong tradition of environmental activism, such as Germany and the Netherlands, for example, the Greens have successfully mobilised support by emphasising urgent climate action and sustainable economic policies. Their voter base also includes individuals disillusioned with traditional political parties, who are attracted to the Greens’ commitment to transparency, ethics in politics, and participatory democracy.
The Greens’ appeal to younger voters is particularly noteworthy. This demographic is increasingly anxious about their future in the face of global warming and ecological crises. The party’s emphasis on innovative solutions for sustainability, renewable energy, and job creation in green industries resonates stroångly with these concerns. Furthermore, the Greens have capitalised on the growing societal emphasis on social justice, equality, and rights for marginalised communities. Voters who are concerned about these issues, alongside environmental priorities, find a natural ally in the Greens, as the party actively integrates social policies with its environmental agenda.
The potential for expanding their voter base exists in the context of increasing environmental awareness and the escalating impacts of climate change across Europe. By continuing to champion bold environmental policies and inclusivity, the Greens have the opportunity to attract voters from a broader spectrum, including those from centrist and left-leaning parties who seek a more pronounced commitment to addressing climate change and social inequities.
Election forecast and post-election wishlists
Latest polls show that the support for the European Greens keeps dropping, projecting they will have around 50 out of 705 seats in the EP. This is at least 20 fewer than in 2019.
It is clear that the Greens and their national member parties face a complex challenge: navigating the backlash against green policies across Europe. The European Green Deal, Farm to Fork Strategy, and other policies aimed at making the EU carbon-neutral by 2050 have sparked significant debate and opposition, particularly from sectors feeling the acute impact of these transitions, such as agriculture and energy.
The Greens currently have one Commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevičius from Lithuania. He is a member of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union and holds the portfolio for Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries. It appears unlikely that the Greens will secure a portfolio in the next European Commission. Depending on the outcome of post-election negotiations, they may, however, wield influence over the future EU policy agenda.
Given their ideology, they will press for ambitious environmental policy, climate action, biodiversity, and social justice. They will champion the European Green Deal, renewable energy initiatives, greening transport and digitalisation, and promoting social inclusion and human rights.
How can they achieve this if, as expected, they are among the biggest losers of the election? The best game plan for the Greens seems to be forming strategic alliances with other political groups – especially the socialist S&D and liberal Renew Europe – to bolster their influence on key legislative priorities. Given the fragmented nature of the European Parliament, the ability of the Greens to collaborate across the aisle will be critical.
To assume a more powerful kingmaker role, they could try to form a joint negotiating platform with one of the other groups. While their potential new Spanish member Sumar has expressed a desire for a joint platform between the Greens and the Left, a strategic pact with Renew Europe, which is also expected to lose some seats in this election, could increase their bargaining leverage. Together with S&D they could ensure a stronger position in negotiations with the centre-right EPP, set to remain the largest group in parliament. Although some EPP officials have been hinting at closer ties with the conservative nationalist ECR group, only a new grand coalition spanning the EPP, S&D and Renew Europe – possibly including the Greens this time – seems likely to have the numbers to form a coalition.
What is certain is that the post-election negotiations will be more complicated than before. At PartyParty, we’ll continue to monitor all major political families throughout this election season to highlight best strategies and up-to-the-minute coverage of the winners and losers.
