The Greens (Déi Gréng) on Monday held their New Year’s reception where leadership members shared their opinion on the current state of affairs and outlined the future priorities of the party.
“We continue fighting for a world in which solidarity, justice, and sustainability aren’t empty words”, Greens co-president Stéphanie Empain underlined during her speech, arguing that green policies are fundamentally fair politics, as it prioritises the well-being of everyone.
Empain also discussed the influence of social media in contemporary politics, labelling Elon Musk’s position in the Trump administration as contrary to the foundational democratic principles in Europe. She noted that tech billionaires are using the US president to their advantage and warned that the same is already happening with fascists in Europe.
Co-president François Benoy voiced concerns that an increasing number of centrist politicians are jumping on the populist train to drive policies that exacerbate social inequalities. He accordingly stated that the government is giving the most vulnerable in society – homeless and refugees – the cold shoulder.
Speaking to RTL at the event, Benoy argued that the government is spreading “uncertainty” among several sectors, ranging from social dialogue to the “climate transition” and the Caritas embezzlement case. The current administration is only interested in a selected few rather than society as a whole, Benoy stated.
MP Sam Tanson echoed this sentiment, alleging that the government prioritises satisfying employers. She explained that while the Greens too are in favour of a healthy economy and healthy companies, this must not come at the expense of employees.
The parliamentary group leader vowed that the Greens will continue standing up for strong environmental and climate protection, as well as the respect for the foundational rights of the most vulnerable.
MEP Tilly Metz meanwhile used the opportunity of the reception to speak about the numerous challenges faced by the European Union, arguing that these should be used as a means to strengthen the bloc. Metz further pleaded for a more independent and inclusive Europe where nobody is left behind and people feel comfortable in their diversity.
As for the future of the Greens, Benoy explained that the party had gained numerous new members in recent months, giving rise to optimism in the party. “We are implementing policies at the local level that really benefit people”, he noted while pleading for a strong stance against populism.
