Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament has welcomed the European Commission’s renewed commitment to the Green Deal but stressed the need for immediate action to address climate change, safeguard the rule of law, and promote gender equality. Concerns were also raised about the appointment of far-right nominee Raffaele Fitto as Vice-President, which the group warned could undermine democratic values in the EU.
The Greens/EFA Group has praised the European Commission‘s focus on climate policy, particularly the emphasis on the Green Deal, but warned that words must be followed by concrete action. In response to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposals for the new Commission, Terry Reintke, co-president of the Greens/EFA Group, noted the importance of embedding the Green Deal across all sectors of the EU. However, she stressed that urgent action is necessary to counter the escalating impacts of climate change.
Reintke’s concerns were echoed by her co-president, Bas Eickhout, who highlighted the devastating floods across Europe as a stark reminder of the need for immediate adaptation measures. He welcomed the Commission’s creation of a portfolio focused on climate adaptation and water resilience but cautioned that clear strategies must be outlined for how decarbonisation and industrial transformation will be implemented. “The European Union can be a global leader in climate action,” Eickhout said, “but we need massive investments in renewable energy, sustainable industries, and green jobs.”
While the Group acknowledged the positive steps taken in President von der Leyen’s proposal, it emphasized that coordinated action is now critical. The mission letters and portfolios reflect a commitment to making the Green Deal a reality, but questions remain on how these ambitions will translate into practical measures that drive real change.
What are the concerns about the rule of law and far-right influence?
Alongside climate, the Greens/EFA Group voiced significant concerns about the state of the rule of law in Europe, with particular focus on countries like Hungary. The inclusion of a Commissioner dedicated to justice, democracy, and the rule of law was welcomed as an essential safeguard, but Reintke underscored the need for bold and coordinated efforts to uphold these values. “We cannot allow the EU to be undermined by those who seek to erode its democratic foundations,” she warned.
The Group also criticized the EU’s slow progress towards achieving gender equality. Reintke expressed frustration at member states’ failure to meet their promises in this area. A key concern is the nomination of Raffaele Fitto, a candidate from a far-right government, as Vice-President of the European Commission. The Greens/EFA warned that this appointment risks pushing the Commission towards a far-right agenda, potentially endangering the pro-democratic majority that supported von der Leyen’s presidency in July.
As the European Parliament prepares for hearings with all Commissioner-designates, the Greens/EFA Group has vowed to rigorously scrutinize each nominee, with particular focus on Fitto. “We will not give him an easy ride,” Reintke declared, indicating the Group’s determination to prevent any backsliding on democratic and progressive values.
