We are proud to welcome Catalunya en Comú into our Green family. As of Saturday 29 May, they were elected by delegates at the 33rd European Green Party Council and are the newest candidate member party of the European Greens.
Catalunya en Comú is a Catalan-based political party that is colloquially known as Comuns (Commons in English).
On 24 May 2015, Ada Colau became the first female Mayor of Barcelona with 25% of the votes. She beat establishment parties on behalf of the citizens' movement Barcelona en Comú, composed of independent people, the city's social movements, the Human Rights defence movement, the housing rights movement, ecologists, trade unionists, and other parties like EGP member Iniciativa Per Catalunya Verds (now Esquerra Verda). Since that moment, Colau has been considered the 'figurehead of the new left-wing politics sweeping Spain'.
On 8 April 2017, Catalunya en Comú was constituted through a large open assembly and is borne from a confluence of left-wing political actors Barcelona en Comú, Iniciativa per Catalunya Verds (ICV), Esquerra Unida i Alternativa (EUiA), Equo and Podem Catalunya. Today, it has 15 mayors in office across Catalonia and maintains its strong municipal values. Despite its relative youth, the party already represents a new era in Spanish politics in which empowered citizens have a place in political action and debate. Notably, they have implemented a strong gender perspective in their political structures, which ensures the presence of women in political issues and debates and pushes for laws on trans rights.
Through their 6 years of governance in Barcelona, they have protected the interests of the city-dweller from constant growth and tourism, guaranteed more social investment, fought against energy poverty, reduced neighbourhood inequalities, established the first mental health plan, and much more. At the parliamentary level, a Parliamentary Group led by Jéssica Albiach has also had many successes, including the reduction of university fees, increased investment in public transport and fair, progressive and green taxation. All their political actions are rooted in progressive, feminist and ecologist values.
Reinforcing the fight for a better, fairer and greener future in Catalonia and beyond
Catalunya en Comú is working towards an integrated Europe based on democratic practices, citizen engagement, feminism, multilateralism, and a social and environmental agenda.
The party aims to ensure that no one is left behind due to economic, gender, origin, or sexual orientation reasons. After the consequences of the 2008 financial crisis, they are committed to transforming the economic, political and social structures of the neoliberal system. Most of all, they emphasise the municipal level and what they have termed common politics, which guarantees the participation of people at all levels of political decision-making.
"We're a Green party since we were born and to become part of the European Green family is a step forward for us. Now, we have the opportunity to work together with colleagues across Europe to strengthen the principles of eco-feminism, social justice and respect for the planet. The fight against the climate emergency is an imperative, and this alliance that we are strengthening today will help us to do it better and more globally. So, this is a historic moment not only for En Comú but also for all those Catalans that believe in a greener, fairer and more feminist Europe.
We want to add our experience, and we think we can contribute in many ways in making the Green political family even bigger. Because we want the 'Green Wave' to be a reality throughout Europe, a reality that goes beyond surveys and that will help to put in place an ambitious Green agenda at all levels of government. We're convinced we can bring an important contribution to help strengthening the Greens in southern Europe. We want to join forces in helping bringing the Green Wave all across Europe because it's a way for people to live better."
- Jéssica Albiach, Co-Chair of Catalunya en Comú
Catalunya en Comú has been in close cooperation with the Green family in Europe throughout the last few years due to our many shared values and goals, and our understanding of pan-European challenges. The party has strong ties with Greens in different Member States and cooperates regularly with Green members at the local level. Ernest Urtasun, their party representative in Europe, is Vice-President of the Greens/EFA parliamentary group.
On 24 December 2020, Catalunya en Comú officially applied to become a Candidate Member of the European Greens. Now, their entry reinforces the fight for a just and sustainable transition and the vision for a green future in Catalonia and beyond. This is an opportunity for closer cooperation with both Esquerra Verda, EGP full member in Catalonia, and with Verdes Equo, EGP full member in Spain.
"We are happy to enlarge our Green European Family with a new member, Catalunya en Comú. Their presence strengthens Green voices and actions in Catalonia and Spain, and will enable greater cooperation with Esquerra Verda and Verdes Equo.
The party's successes, especially on the city level, and its focus on citizen engagement, feminism, and a Green and social agenda, will contribute to a real ecological transformation towards a Greener future for Catalonia, Spain and Europe."
- Evelyne Huytebroeck, Co-Chair, European Greens
With Catalunya en Comú, we are one step closer to a fairer, greener and feminist Europe. We look forward to working with them continue the fight for democracy, citizen participation, social and ecological justice, and a green transformation!
