From the streets to power: Green parties are developing in Europe

There is no other situation that better exemplifies the evolution of political environmentalism, especially in the European Union (EU). This heterogeneous movement, born in the heat of the student protests in 1968, has left behind the most radical and anti-systemic propositions in recent years. betting on pragmatism Gaining more and more seats in national parliaments; a normalization accelerated by the growing climate emergency.

According to the Global Greens network, approximately 80 green parties worldwide. The vast majority have not achieved success rates like in Germany, but their impact is growing. Even though they have different forms, they overlap with each other. centre-left tendency and promoting pillars such as sustainability, social justice, grassroots democracy and nonviolence.

EU, green castle

The first ecological political formations formed in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand in the early 1970s. But, Its main castle EUThey rule the six countries where they hold the most power at an all-time high.

This is the case of Germany, whose 14.8% of the votes received in 2021 allowed it to become the third power in the country, part of an unprecedented tripartite structure and run highly influential ministries such as Foreign Affairs, Environment, Economy and Climate. Action. The Greens also govern with an alliance of seven parties in Belgium, one in four in Bulgaria, three in Ireland and one in Latvia, and are partners with the conservatives in the coalition led by Austria.

At the beginning of the year this number European environmental parties in power It was even older. Until last April environmentalists were part of the executive in Finland, and until last October 8 they were also part of the executive in Luxembourg. The figures may change again soon, as the alliance between the Labor Party and the Greens in the Netherlands has a chance of becoming the force with the most votes in the elections to be held on 22 November.

In recent years, environmental groups in the EU have Popularize your offers and gain support. Thus, in addition to those already mentioned, they also have a more or less pronounced presence in the parliaments of Cyprus, Denmark, Spain, France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Sweden. In total they are present in 18 of the 27 Member States.

internal discussions

environmental movement Not monolithic. His initial agenda, focused on his anti-nuclear stance in the 1980s, has expanded to include climate change, industrial agriculture, advocacy for sanctuary, and support for a less polluting industrial model.

But there is more than one divisive debatesSuch as globalization, economic growth or foreign policy. There are even those who value accepting the use of atomic energy. In recent years, the defense of animals has gained importance, as in the case of the Dutch Animal Husbandry Party, which is unique in the world.

Although the vast majority of green parties are centre-left, part of their success lies in: political formations of another profile – went from social democrats to liberals or conservatives adopts some of its assumptions The need for climate action has become increasingly evident.

ideological allocation

However, this allowance pragmatic rather than ideological. For example, in Germany, conservatives put on a green makeover to win back the votes, and it was Angela Merkel who decided to shut down the country’s nuclear power plants.

Even far-right formations, such as the French National Rally led by Marine Le Pen, are already exploiting the social frictions created by the crisis. Countermeasures against climate emergency to promote regressive agenda. This formula allowed a hitherto unknown agrarian and populist party to win regional elections in the Netherlands last March.