Get the full resolution in pdf in EN, ES, FR, IT.

Summary

The European Union is in the middle of an economic, social, ecological and democratic crisis that jeopardises many of its achievements and undermines the continuation of its political integration process.

Since 2008, millions of Europeans have lost their jobs or fallen into poverty. Many more people worry about their livelihood, the public services they depend on and their children's future. Despite a flurry of summits, European leaders have not yet found a way out of the multiple crises. By endlessly recycling commitments on budget discipline and foot-dragging on solidarity, they have left it to the European Central Bank to keep the euro afloat. The exclusive focus on austerity is plunging Europe into another deep recession as well as dramatically increasing social inequalities both within societies and between member states and regions.

European Greens have solutions to bridge increasing inequalities, to combine financial stability with innovation, quality jobs, economic and social well-being and sustainable use of resources. The Green New Deal is the comprehensive, concrete and systemic programme development of the Greens to foster the ecological, social and economic transition to a sustainable model of development. We want to contribute to restoring the trust and self-confidence of Europeans. Budget discipline must go hand in hand with building a credible financial firewall, strong enough to drive down interest rates on sovereign debt. Restoring the confidence of Europe’s citizens as well as the markets requires a shift from austerity-only to structural reforms, especially in the financial sector, and smarter investments.

We believe that we should face these crises and turn them into an opportunity for the EU to take a more democratic and sustainable path. While strengthening economic union, the EU must also become more democratic, more transparent and more cohesive.

European Greens are convinced that the current EU institutional setting is not up to the challenge the EU faces. We need to engage in a new round of reform of the EU, but this time we must ensure that it is marked by a positive engagement and with the full commitment of Europe’s people who must feel part of the European project and should not be confronted with a done deal. Moreover, we want to create the alliances necessary to change the Treaty's revision system, by removing veto rights for single member states, extending ratification powers to the European Parliament and introducing a new EU- wide referendum.

This is essential to put into practice the Green New Deal, our project to ensure prosperity and well- being for all, across the planet and generations. The inequalities within and between societies shall be reduced, and our lifestyles - the way we live, produce and consume – shall be reconciled with the physical limits of our planet. The ecological reconversion of Europe’s economy and society can only take place within a democratic, transparent and efficient institutional framework.

Together we can choose another way for Europe and build a political (federal) union of European citizens, regions and territories!