Brussels
7 June 2022
On 5 June 2022, the European Green Party 35th Council concluded with the election of its new leadership
Mélanie Vogel and Thomas Waitz have been elected as the new European Green Party co-chairs following a vote by delegates gathered in Riga, Latvia for our bi-annual Council meeting. They will lead the EGP until the 2024 European Parliament elections. Thomas Waitz will continue for a second mandate, while Mélanie Vogel will replace Evelyne Huytebroeck who reached the end of her term.
An executive Committee from across Europe’s geographical regions has also been elected and will take office with immediate effect. They sit alongside the co-chairs and include Secretary General Benedetta De Marte, Treasurer Ute Michel and Committee members Malgorzata Tracz, Mina Jack Tolu, Rasmus Nordqvist, Sybille Steffan, and Vula Tsetsi.
Speaking after her election, co-chair Mélanie Vogel said:
“I am truly grateful to the delegates who trusted me for the upcoming two and a half years. I want to thank Evelyne Huytebroeck for the amazing work she did steering our party in these unprecedented times.
Europe is a turning point. The world already suffers the growing consequences of climate change, the EU is threatened by war and autocracies. The Greens’ project is the only credible alternative to address these interwoven crises. Citizens are increasingly putting their trust in us, and we deliver for them, in governments, in regions, in cities. Our objective is to build the momentum for a truly Green Europe in 2024: a democratic Europe, a fair and ecological Europe and an inclusive Europe free of discrimination.”
Thomas Waitz, re-elected co-chair of the European Green Party said:
“I am honored that our member parties put their trust in me for a second mandate as co-chair of the European Green Party along with Mélanie Vogel.
My first mandate took place in unique conditions, it started with COVID and ended with our continent being shaken by war. Our duty is to offer solutions that will ensure a peaceful future for Europe, and wellbeing for all. These solutions mean a rapid transition of our energy system, food system and the economic system overall.
Until the 2024 European Parliament elections, we will engage party activists, changemakers, and civil society to build this Green future together and lead the change in the European Parliament.”
Benedetta De Marte, newly elected Secretary General of the European Green Party, adds:
“First of all, I want to thank Mar Garcia for her incredible achievements as Secretary General of the EGP over the last eight years. Not only has she led the EGP through its most successful European elections campaign to date in 2019, but she has also successfully managed to continue growing the relevance of our movement in one of the most troubled periods of recent history.
The 2024 elections will be soon upon us. The European Greens will prepare as early as possible for them. We have effective short- and long-term proposals to address the multiple crises Europe is currently facing. And we will demonstrate through the policies we are implementing and through our campaign, that our solutions are essential to tackle climate change, increase wellbeing of all citizens across the continent and secure peace and the strategic independence of Europe.
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EGP co-chair Mélanie Vogel profile: Ms. Vogel is one of the youngest senators in France, representing French abroad, where she sits on the committee for social affairs. She has been a committee member of the European Green Party since 2019. Prior to her Senate mandate, she has been working as an advisor for the Green Group in the European Parliament in the committee on constitutional affairs. She is an expert in European democracy, feminism and LGBTI+ rights.
EGP co-chair Thomas Waitz profile: Mr. Waitz is an organic mountain farmer, forester and beekeeper based in the Stajersca region in southern Austria on the border with Slovenia. He has engaged in Green politics from local to European level and is an MEP for the Austrian Green Party Die Grünen. He specializes in a range of ecological topics, including food safety, regional and organic farming, animal welfare, fair trade and environmental protection.
EGP Secretary General Benedetta DE MARTE profile: Ms. De Marte is a Local Councillor in the city of Brussels, and a board member of the Green European Journal Board. Prior to becoming EGP’s Secretary General, she was working for the Green Group in the European Parliament as Network officer for Greens in Governments and Parliaments. She has been a long-standing senior advisor to the European Green Party with a focus on relations with partners in the South and East of Europe. Of Italian origin, she has been living in a number of countries and is currently based in Brussels.
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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 du Taciturne 34, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
www.europeangreens.eu
