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Here are the highlights of the final day of the 33rd European Green Party Council

On the last day of the Council, the Green member parties defined, with a high level of consensus, the political direction of the EGP for this new period.  

As the climate crisis impacts vulnerable communities the most, we held a plenary session on ‘Climate and Biodiversity’, in which we had a wonderful discussion between youth movements, Global South activists and Green policymakers.  

The Parallel Sessions featured discussions about the digital gender gap and digital feminism, biodiversity, the EU Recovery Fund, and how Green local leaders can act for quieter, safer and less polluted streets and public spaces. We also gave a demonstration of our Local Councillors platform, a new tool that connects Green councillors across Europe. It offers a space to share projects, events and ideas to enable more Green initiatives to be implemented!

Petra De Sutter, the Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, gave a Keynote Speech highlighting the difference that the Greens make for citizens when they are in government. Mar Garcia, the Secretary General of the European Greens, closed the Council with words of gratitude to all those who took part and a special tribute to those born during the war or in the immediate post-war period; the generation who rebuilt Europe and whose “old age was disturbed, when not extinguished, by this pandemic.”

11 Resolutions adopted; Catalunya en Comú joins the European Greens

In today’s voting session, Council delegates adopted 11 resolutions that were tabled by 14 member parties across Europe. The resolutions featured crucial topics such as the Future of Europe,  European rail, Farm to Fork strategy, and fair distribution and global access to COVID vaccines.  

In addition, the member parties welcomed Catalunya en Comú (CeC), Catalonia (Spain), as a candidate member party to the European Green Party. “We want the Green wave to be a reality throughout Europe” said Jéssica Albiach and continued: “I am convinced we can bring an important contribution to help us strengthening the Greens in Southern Europe.” With Catalunya en Comú, we are one step closer to a fairer, greener and feminist Europe. We look forward to working with them to continue the fight for democracy, citizen participation, social and ecological justice, and a green transformation!  

The delegates further elected three new candidate members to the EGP amendments committee. We congratulate Benedetta De Marte, Janik Feuerhahn and Sam Murray on their election. We also give a big thank you to Alexandra Medwedeff and Wouter Witteveen for their previous work in the Amendments committee.  

Petra De Sutter speaking at the Council

Petra De Sutter recounted her political trajectory and the creation of the Vivaldi Government in Belgium, for which the Greens ensured gender parity. In her speech, she emphasised the need for an inclusive and sustainable COVID-19 recovery: "if a policy is sustainable but not social, it’s not a Green policy". 

"We are fighting for equal opportunities for everyone", said Petra De Sutter. She highlighted the difference that Sarah Schlitz, Federal State Secretary of Belgium for Equal Opportunities and Diversity, has made through the revival of an anti-racism programme and her transversal approach: "In all our policies, she’s watching, she’s present."

She also reaffirmed the Green fight for equal rights for women and men, for people with a disability, for refugees, and for LGBT people: “all over the country we are taking them aboard, leaving no one behind in our policies. This is in our DNA, and it is extremely important. Having Greens around that table makes a difference.”  

Lastly, she emphasised the importance of resilient and public healthcare systems: “The weakest element of the chain will determine the strength of the whole chain. We should strengthen all the healthcare sector in the EU to make sure that all the healthcare sectors are strong enough to be resilient in cases of crisis.” 

Youth movements, Global South activists and Green leaders discuss how to tackle the climate crisis, together

A Plenary Session on climate and biodiversity was an exchange between youth movements, Global South activists and Green policy makers. It was moderated by Thomas Waitz and featured Green leaders Beppe Sala, Pia Olsen Dyhr, Eleonora Evi, activists Elizabeth Wathuti,  Tara Houska, Adélaïde Charlier, and Nyke Slawik, as well as spoken word artist Zaïre Krieger. The importance of ensuring that frontline communities such as indigenous peoples don’t unjustly pay the price of the climate crisis was highlighted.

Closing of the council

In her closing speech of the 33rd Council of the European Green Party, Mar Garcia, the Secretary General of the European Greens, spoke about the upcoming German election and its significance: “for the first time there is a real chance that a Green candidate, Annalena Baerbock, will be that person; the future chancellor of Germany.” 

Mar Garcia stressed that “giving hope and prospects for the future, especially to young people, is an urgent responsibility”. She closed the council thanking all participants and looks forward to the 34th European Green Party Council to be held in Budapest this December. 

#EGP33 on Twitter

Relive the council on Twitter with the #EGP33 hashtag! Follow us on Twitter @europeangreens and use the official #EGP33 hashtag. 

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