European Green Party Co-Chair Vula Tsetsi and Committee Members Rui Tavares and Marc Giménez, will meet Yolanda Díaz, Minister of Labour and leader of Sumar, and Ernest Urtasun, Minister of Culture.
“There is a need for Green and social politics in Spain, and the Sumar alliance is a political force that can successfully occupy this space. In these turbulent times, progressives must work together. We salute the work of Sumar, which includes EGP member parties, and look forward to strengthening our collaboration in Spain and across Europe", said EGP co-chair Vula Tsetsi.
The European Greens commend the role of Sumar and its Ministers in shaping the Spanish government’s social profile, reducing working time and increasing wages.
The recent deadly floods in Valencia exposed the incompetence and inaction of the Partido Popular (member of the European People’s Party) in protecting citizens from climate disasters. In this context, Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz introduced a new system of "paid climate leave", allowing workers to stay at home for up to four days during weather emergencies, protecting workers from hazardous conditions.
“At the European level, we are waging an open battle with right and extreme right-wing parties and to maintain the Green Deal. We need Green forces to put pressure on the European Commission together with other progressive parties and civil society”, Vula Tsetsi said.
The European Green Party also commends Sumar’s strong and consistent voice in advocating for peace in the Middle East and for human rights, especially for Palestinians in the face of Israel’s devastating war. "We are outraged at the way in which the far-right Netanyahu government has wreaked havoc on Gaza, killing tens of thousands of civilians, including children, especially in light of their most recent breach of the ceasefire which has seen yet another escalation of violence and suffering", said Vula Tsetsi. "The EU must step up its diplomatic efforts. Israel’s actions cannot go without consequences. Netanyahu is subject to an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC), and accountability must follow."
The European Green Party has 3 member parties in Spain: Verdes Equo, Catalunya En Comú, and Esquerra Verda, who all participate in the Sumar coalition.
