François Benoy, the newly appointed co-president of the Green Party, outlined the party's plans for a renewed focus on core values and inclusivity in an interview, following a detailed analysis of its 2023 electoral setbacks.

On Tuesday morning, the new co-president of the Green Party, François Benoy, spoke with our colleagues from RTL Radio about the party's disappointing performance in the 2023 municipal and legislative elections. Despite the setbacks, Benoy said he was "proud to be part of a party that has confronted its defeats with such honesty."

Benoy highlighted that, following the election losses, the Green Party conducted a thorough internal review involving all its members. "We were very critical of ourselves, and I would like to see other parties do the same," he remarked.

The analysis revealed that while the Green Party achieved significant progress in the areas it managed while in government, it may have sometimes focused too narrowly on specific issues, overlooking broader public concerns. Benoy acknowledged that the party also "neglected issues that are important to loyal Green voters."

According to Benoy, the primary reason for the Green Party's electoral losses was an "unfavourable environment," influenced by factors like the Covid-19 pandemic, the energy crisis, and rising inflation. He added that this challenging environment was "mercilessly exploited" by the party's political opponents.

Despite the electoral setbacks, Benoy noted that the party has not seen a significant loss in membership. In fact, the number of members has recently grown. He also mentioned that interest in joining the party's executive committees is at an all-time high.

Refocusing on core green values

Benoy emphasised that values like "more justice, strong environmental protection, and inclusive policies" remain central to the Green Party's mission and continue to resonate with the public. He argued that "the politics of stagnation" are not the solution, and the party needs to demonstrate this to the people.

Reflecting on the current political landscape, Benoy claimed it has become clear that Luxembourg now has a government that prioritises "those who are already well off." He pointed to several examples, including the begging ban, the police authority to remove individuals from public spaces ("Platzverweis"), a lack of respect for social dialogue, and the Caritas scandal, as evidence of policies that particularly affect society's most vulnerable.

A 'ban-happy' party?

Benoy rejected claims that his party is overly focused on imposing restrictions. He countered, "If we're talking about buzzkills, we should look at who is now slashing incentives for electric cars and photovoltaic installations."

Benoy clarified that the Green Party's approach is not about forcing people to give up their lifestyles but about changing policies to make sustainable living accessible to everyone. "It's not a question of everyone having to give up everything," he explained, "it's about politics changing the rules of the game so that everyone can live ecologically." He emphasised that achieving this requires more dialogue and participation to foster acceptance among the public. "A policy of inaction is a recipe for disaster," Benoy warned.

Déi Gréng: From hippies to suits and ties

Reflecting on the evolution of the Green Party over its more than 30-year history, Benoy acknowledged that the party has undergone significant changes. However, he insisted that its core values have remained consistent. "There's a place for everyone in this party: from hippies to suits and ties," Benoy said, highlighting his vision of an inclusive political movement.

The new co-president expressed his aspiration for the Green Party to be both a capable governing force and a source of inspiration for a broad range of people. "We would like to be a party that is capable of governing and that can inspire as many people as possible, so that we can change the country," Benoy concluded.