Brussels
29 June 2020
After their historic result in the general elections in February 2020, the Green Party of Ireland has entered into negotiations with two other parties in order to form a government. Following a Programme for Government labelled as one of the most advanced programmes by any EU Member States on climate issues, the membership of the Green Party of Ireland has approved the proposal to join the governing coalition.
Evelyne Huytebroeck and Thomas Waitz, co-chairs of the European Green Party comment:
“We congratulate the Green Party of Ireland for becoming the fifth green party in Europe currently in government. At such a crossroads for Europe and each of its member states, we are truly convinced that green parties can bring concrete solutions not just for the post-coronavirus recovery, but also for the climate crisis. The Green Party of Ireland has in particular negotiated very strong climate commitments in their Programme for Government. We are absolutely convinced they will deliver on these commitments.
The European Green Party will support their work and facilitate their cooperation with other green parties in government.”
Green Party of Ireland leader Eamon Ryan commented after the decision*:
“There is a sense of responsibility on us now. We have a job to do. We must work with our coalition partners in getting our country out of a really severe economic crisis. People who are at home now who may have lost their job or are at risk of losing their job – they need a government. We need to get up and stand up for them and get the country working.
“The wider world’s greatest challenge is to restore biodiversity and stop the madness that climate change will bring if it goes unchecked. That’s what our job will be in government and what we have been voted in to do. I believe that we can work with our coalition partners and parties in opposition to work together collectively to set our country on this new future. One that is sustainable in every way: socially, economically and environmentally. That’s what we will seek to do.”
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* The full reaction of the Green Party of Ireland can be found here.
Valentin Dupouey
Head of the Communication Unit / Press Officer
E valentin.dupouey@europeangreens.eu
T +32 (0) 485 93 99 26
European Green Party
Rue Wiertz 31, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
www.europeangreens.eu
