An interview with sociologist and freelance political writer Dick Pels and future Member of European Parliament Florent Marcellesi from the Spanish Green party Equo, in which they examine the issues at stake when trying to rethink the emotional case for Europe.

With hard-right parties on the rise across Europe, Greens can learn from this recent surge in ‘populism’ by developing a positive and inclusive conception of the term. A Grand Narrative about a ‘Europe of hearts’ can speak to people directly and produce a different kind of patriotism to that of the nationalists: Europatriotism.

The Green movement needs to move away from alarmist arguments and moralising and towards a more inclusive way of discussing climate change, which leaves room political dispute as to the solutions needed.

The world view of GroenLinks is founded on three deeply-held convictions: Green, leftist and progressive. These ideals are still alive but each of them in turn points to the need for a sharper critique of capitalism and the neoliberal culture.