The 33rd European Green Party Council is approaching! As you await the opening of the Council on 28 May, which will feature the Green candidate for the German Chancellorship, Annalena Baerbock, you can read more about the topics that are on the forefront of the Green agenda at this time.
We are the most cohesive political family because we move ahead together. Our resolutions put into writing our common positions after in-depth discussions among the Greens and are voted on by the EGP full member parties at our Councils. We have had many resolutions since our founding in 2004, which provide mandate for action. They function as the core of our political existence and are part of our democratic and transparent decision-making processes within the European Greens. We are proud of the enormous work Green parties across Europe do to bring common positions to the Council!
The 11 draft resolutions summarised below have been tabled by 14 member parties and groups across Europe. Their proposals will be debated and be voted on by delegates during the Council. The final resolutions, which will represent a united Green position on the issues, will be published after the event.
Check out the programme and register for the Council!
On the Future of Europe
Tabled by European Green Party (EGP) Committee
A lack of European reforms in the past has exacerbated the current health, economic and environmental crises we face today. We need more resilient and efficient economic sectors. Path breaking decisions such as the decision to issue a €750bn post-pandemic recovery fund, and the consideration of waving vaccine patents, have showed what we can achieve when there is the political will to do so. This resolution proposes to rebuild a post-pandemic Europe that is committed to tackling economic inequality and environmental breakdown as well as ensuring citizen participation.
On Transnational Lists
Tabled by the EGP Committee
The European Greens have fought for the democratic future of Europe, campaigning for the creation of a joint European constituency for the European elections allowing citizens to vote for transnational lists. This resolution proposes to make these transnational lists a reality. They would allow European citizens from all countries to vote for candidates for the European Parliament. It argues that it would guarantee a more pan-European campaign and participate in building public debate at the European level.
Consent is sexy!
Tabled by the Federation of Young European Greens (FYEG)
The European-wide lack of consent in rape laws leads to disastrous consequences and advantages for rapists in cases where the survivor was not able to articulate their will. Europe needs to act on consent and against gender-based violence to protect and fulfil the rights of people in all their diversity*, especially for women and girls who are the most affected. Young green feminists came together to table this resolution, which calls for a new legal framework on rape.
The EU's China policy must uphold human rights and international rule of law
Tabled by Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (DE) and supported by Ecolo (BE) and Grüne/Verts (CH)
EU politicians that have spoken out against atrocities committed against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang and the continued oppression of the democracy movement in Hong Kong are being sanctioned by China. This includes two members of parliaments, Reinhard Bütikofer and Samuel Cogolati, that are part of our Green family. This resolution proposes to respond to this escalation by taking joint action on EU's China policy to ensure that it upholds human rights and international rule of law.
A four-day week for a greener, equal and fairer Europe
Tabled by Verdes Equo (ES)
This resolution proposes a shorter working week as a response to the urgent need to establish a new production model provoked by COVID-19. This proposal also addresses current challenges of digitisation and task automation. It would be a step towards seeing the transformative change needed in our economies. Some of the benefits include: safeguarding the environment, better health, and enriching democracy.
Fair distribution and global access to COVID vaccines
Tabled by GroenLinks (NL), Groen (BE), Esquerra Verda (ES), Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (DE) and Socialistisk Folkeparti (DK)
The coronavirus pandemic has been raging around the world for a year and a half now and has highlighted vulnerabilities in our health systems. This topical resolution highlights the need for global solidarity rather than vaccine nationalism and addresses the need for fair distribution and global access to COVID-19 vaccines. A whole range of effective vaccines have been developed at a record pace, but they have yet to be available to the world population on a fair and equal basis.
A Farm to Fork Strategy that works for people and planet
Tabled by the EGP Committee
After a disappointing Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) due to industry lobbying, Green leaders are working to support policies that support small businesses, workers, and the environment. The Farm to Fork Strategy, proposed by the European Commission, is currently being debated and is at the heart of the European Green Deal. This resolution proposes to keep pressure within the European Union to commit to an ambitious Farm to Fork Strategy that should be enshrined in an ambitious common agricultural policy.
Recovery and Resilience Facility – for a true green and just transition
Tabled by the EGP Committee
In the face of the shock to all Europeans caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the agreement to raise 750 billion euros together and invest it in the common cause of making our societies and economies resilient for the generations to come represents a triumph of unity and solidarity over competition and self-interest. The proposed demands in this resolution aim to ensure that these funds are put towards the environment and remove the barriers to social cohesion.
2021 Year of Rail - on green rail transport
Tabled by Socialistisk Folkeparti (DK)
This resolution aims to renew the European Greens position on rail in 2021. Besides being a necessary task, the transformation of the transport sector is also a chance to make mobility more just and democratic, and to make cities, countries and the EU more sustainable, healthy, and coherent, whilst creating new jobs. The resolution proposes several demands that aim to ensure good passenger rights, new green jobs, and deliver sustainable transport.
On Smart Cities
Tabled by GroenLinks (NL), Zelení (CZ), Eestimaa Rohelised (EE), Partia Zieloni (PL) and Groen (BE)
All over Europe, municipalities want to become 'smart cities', front-runners in the use of big data and smart information technologies. However, this resolution warns that smart cities should not be an end in themselves, as digital technologies have also deepened inequalities and eroded the right to privacy. It proposes to set out 11 key features of responsible smart cities and enact several European policies in support of them.
On defending our fundamental rights in the face of biometric mass surveillance in public places in Europe
Tabled by the Green Group in the European Parliament (GGEP) Delegation
Throughout Europe, governments are experimenting with highly intrusive facial recognition systems and other biometric mass surveillance in public spaces. This resolution calls for the Greens to act on this as there is currently no European legislation that regulates the use of these technologies in public spaces.
Resolution titles and texts are subject to change following the political debates that will take place at the Council.
