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Greens challenge socialists on commitment to climate action

(EurActiv, 22 Apr 2024) With European elections looming from 6 to 9 June, the centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and the Greens have two main goals: win votes from the right and be clearly distinguishable from their traditional allies.

EU lawmakers will vote on the EU’s revamped fiscal rules on Tuesday (23 April). The Greens say that S&D support for the agreement will see public investment into the green transition scuppered, while the Socialists stress that only they can deliver a “socially just” transition.

“The upcoming vote on the reform of the Stability and Growth Pact is crucial for our future investment possibilities,” Bas Eickhout, who co-leads the Greens’ campaign, told Euractiv.

Across Europe, there is unanimous agreement that additional investments are needed to meet 2030 climate targets. Think-tank I4CE puts the gap at some €400 billion per annum.

“Any party that takes the future of the Green Deal seriously, cannot support the reform that will be voted this week,” explained Eickhout, a veteran EU politician who also co-led the Greens 2019 campaign.

And the Dutchman is in election mode now, too. “I trust S&D will make the right decision on this,” he added.

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EurActiv, 22 Apr 2024: Greens challenge socialists on commitment to climate action