Today, the BBC ponders the question of the future of Green politics in Europe. Over the last decade, the Greens have been members of governments in five European countries. However, with the formation of a new CDU-SPD government in Germany, the Greens are once again only a party of opposition in Western Europe. Does this mean that Green politics is dying? Hardly.
It is understandable that some would be pessimistic about the Greens fall out of government, but the German Greens only lost a half a percentage of support from the last German election in 2002. They continue to play a significant role in Länder politics and the grassroots that have always played a special role in Green politics. In fact, in most countries support for the Greens has remained constant with their fall out of power a result of the publics turn away from their larger social democratic coalition partners. Further, the Green issues are entrenched into the daily discourse of European politics.
There is another dimension to this issue that the article misses though. Although the Greens no longer have a role in Council of Ministers or the European Commission, they remain an important part of the European Parliament. While small in size, their credibility as a defender of the very policy competences in which the Parliament has the most power make them a significant player in EU politics. Their influence should not be overstated, but if the Greens biggest strength is its ability to put environmental and social justice issues on the agenda, then the Green dream is anything but withered.
It is understandable that some would be pessimistic about the Greens fall out of government, but the German Greens only lost a half a percentage of support from the last German election in 2002. They continue to play a significant role in Länder politics and the grassroots that have always played a special role in Green politics. In fact, in most countries support for the Greens has remained constant with their fall out of power a result of the publics turn away from their larger social democratic coalition partners. Further, the Green issues are entrenched into the daily discourse of European politics.
There is another dimension to this issue that the article misses though. Although the Greens no longer have a role in Council of Ministers or the European Commission, they remain an important part of the European Parliament. While small in size, their credibility as a defender of the very policy competences in which the Parliament has the most power make them a significant player in EU politics. Their influence should not be overstated, but if the Greens biggest strength is its ability to put environmental and social justice issues on the agenda, then the Green dream is anything but withered.
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