Green Parties

Alexander Van der Bellen’s election as president was a boost for Austrian Greens, but many challenges lie ahead.

A discussion with Ralf Fücks, outgoing president of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, on the situation in Germany, coalitions with Merkel and the rise of the AfD.

How to counter the problems of a ‘half-finished Europe’? Interview with Raphaël Glucksmann & Monica Frassoni.

A recent breakthrough illustrates how forming political alliances could be a path to power for progressive forces in the UK.

An analysis of Spain’s political uncertainty.

US Green Party Presidential Candidate Jill Stein often cites examples from Europe as a model for the US to try to imitate. From domestic health care to foreign affairs, there seems to be no issue that Europe isn’t doing better than the US on. Yet could she be missing a much more useful example from Europe: how to actually do Green politics?

When Croatia’s first Green Party (OraH) emerged, many held high hopes that it could consolidate its position as a Green alternative in Croatia’s political landscape. However, it has struggled to overcome the obstacles it has faced, as well as to resolve its own internal flaws.

The state of the French Greens, Europe Écologie Les Verts, is in disarray, and the paradoxical gap between a shrinking Green electorate and ecologically conscious citizens and movements grows. However, the grass is always greener on the other side, especially in the case of Italy, where Green prospects in comparison are bleak. A book review of “Manifeste des écologistes atterrés”.

Without a doubt, the news of Jean Vincent Placé (leader of Green group in the French Senate) and other Green members’ departure from the group – during the summer 2015 after having accused others in the party Europe Ecologie Les Verts (EELV) of “shifting too far left” and demanding too much of the Socialist government – was a relief to the Greens and their supporters. But, it is far from fully cathartic, perhaps partly because losing members is always a failure.

Green parties come in different shapes and sizes. They have different attitudes, as well as differing positions, and they might end up in a wide range of political coalitions when given the opportunity to participate in government. Per Gahrton’s recent book, even if not entirely comprehensive, provides a great overview of this colourful political movement, and helps newcomers understand why Greens can stand united even in the worst of times.