en | fr | de |    Press releases12.05.2009

Red-Green in the EU Parliament: Cohn-Bendit welcomes Rasmussen declaration in favour of EU Parliament Red-Green alliance

Commenting of the declaration of the President of the European Social Democratic Party, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, to abandon the informal alliance with the Christian Democrats in favour of a Red-Green alliance during the upcoming European Parliament mandate, Daniel Cohn-Bendit, Co-President of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, said:

"The chief of the European Social Democrats has got it absolutely right. In light of the financial and economic crisis, Europe needs to make a clean break with the past and commit to a Green New Deal that combines sustainable jobs, the fight against climate change and social justice. A Red-Green alliance is best-equipped to chart this new course.

As Poul Nyrup Rasmussen rightly points out, this also means preventing the reappointment of José Manuel Barroso as Commission President. Barroso is responsible for promoting the neoliberal policies that directly led to the deepest economic and financial crisis since the 1930s. Nominating Barroso equates to sending the fox to guard the chickens.

A Red-Green alliance is the only credible alternative to the 'grand coalition' that is currently paralysing Europe. Unfortunately, Red-Green cooperation alone will not ensure the change of course that Europe needs. The major challenge after the elections will be to secure a majority in the European Parliament around a Red-Green core. This majority can counter Barroso and also determine the new President of the European Parliament."