After a decision-making meeting in Strasbourg, the Green/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) group is divided on their support for the next European Commission. The final vote for approval saw a split within the group, with co-chair Bas Eickhout praising the new executive’s content, despite several colleagues planning to vote against it.
The European Parliament will be casting their votes on Wednesday at noon to endorse the incoming EU executive. This approval comes after a closed-door agreement among the centralist groups, which saw the approval of all 26 commissioners. For the approval to be granted, an absolute majority of the votes cast is needed, and abstentions will not be counted as votes against.
Previously, the Greens had voiced their support for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s commitment to developing a climate-neutral industrial policy and increasing just transition funding. However, the group is now less united in their support for von der Leyen’s new commission.
Following Monday evening’s meeting, Dutch co-chair Bas Eickhout stated that a small majority of the Green group would support the European Commission. He added that despite lengthy discussions, the group shared common viewpoints on the pros and cons and agreed that the EC is “good on content”.
The Greens/EFA group, part of the pro-European majority in the European Parliament, has expressed appreciation for the political guidelines put forward by Ursula von der Leyen, as well as her recent statements supporting cooperation. However, concerns have been raised about the composition of the new Commission, specifically the inclusion of Hungary’s Olivér Várhelyi as commissioner for health and animal welfare, and Italy’s Raffaele Fitto as executive vice president for cohesion and reforms. The Greens/EFA voted against both picks in their hearings.
Eickhout expressed concerns about Fitto’s appointment as an executive vice president due to his affiliation with a radical right-wing party. This could indicate a shift towards the right for the Commission, especially considering the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group’s support for the new college.
Despite this, Green leaders believe a “four-group majority” in the European Parliament could be possible, comprising Europe’s People Party, Socialist and Democrats, Renew Europe, and Green/EFA. This majority could steer the next legislature’s policies towards a pro-environment approach and advance the green transition.
As for how Green MEPs will vote, the Commission announced the hiring of former Green/EFA co-leader Philippe Lamberts as an advisor to President von der Leyen on transitioning to a climate-neutral economy. Eickhout denied that this was an attempt to secure Green votes, stating that Lamberts’ name was not mentioned during the decision-making meeting.
Several members of the group remain undecided on their vote. However, it’s been reported that the German delegation will vote for the college, while Gordan Bosanac of Croatia, Thomas Waitz and Lena Schilling of Austria, and Italians Cristina Guarda, Ignazio Marino, Benedetta Scuderi, and Leoluca Orlando, are expected to vote against.
The Greens/EFA group comprises 53 MEPs, and the voting results on Wednesday will reveal the extent of the division within the group.
