Budget

While there is a growing consensus that it is now unlikely that any country will leave the Euro. However, other groups suggest that parallel currencies for northern countries alongside the Euro may be better for Europe, but this is hotly contested.

Why did the Luxembourg Greens vote against the Fiscal Stability Treaty on February 27th and aske Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker not to implement it?

Nothing seems to disturb what feels like a silent coup d’état carried out with the tacit consent of 27 Heads of State and Government.

The Greens must remain faithful to their European commitment by continuing to promote a European alternative to the austerity policy of the ‘Merkozy’ duo. But passing on an unsustainable debt to the future generation is just as ecologically unsound as leaving a planet in ruins. Whatever their differences, the Greens must present their alternative to the neoliberal’s prioritising of market forces and the “statism” of the old left. This alternative must begin with a recovery package funded by a tax on financial transactions.

Austerity is being promoted across Europe as a means of restoring competitiveness and growth. However, its implementation has disproportionately impacted the education sector, and is being used as a cloak to implement an ideological drive to privatise education systems. What are the long-term implications of such a strategy?

In 2012, the urgency seems to have once again reduced the political possibilities for investment into a green conversion of the economy. Therefore, if the Greens want to reinforce their social base for an “ecological re-industrialisation”, they must re-evaluate their definition of what is socially just and share this vision with as many people as possible, starting with social movements, both new and old. This could be their best way for surviving austerity.

Contrary to what some neoliberals may claim, successive Portugese Governments have followed sound fiscal policy in order to bring their country into line with Eurozone requirements. However, the austerity being imposed on Portugal by the EU runs the risk of undoing decades of progress, and isolating Portugal from the European economy.