European Green Party expands with SF and ORaH
The European Greens have continued to solidify their European family, as delegates to the European Green Council meeting in Istanbul voted overwhelmingly to welcome Danish Greens Socialistisk Folkeparti (SF) as full members, and the new Croatian Green party ORaH as applicant members.
Socialistisk Folkeparti is lead by Pia Olsen Dyhr. They are a left wing Green party, and are strongly committed to the idea of social change and environmental sustainability. They were part of the Danish Government from 2011 to 2013, and have made a crucial impact on Danish politics winning seats at municipal and regional levels, as well as holding seats in the Danish Parliament. Margrete Auken has served as MEP for the party since 2004.
ORaH was founded in October 2013 by Mirela Holy, MP. It promotes sustainable development in Croatia, justice, respect for human rights, and a democracy that fights for equal rights and opportunities. Their message has resonated with Croatian votes, with Davor Škrlec elected as their first MEP earlier this year. The party is currently the second most popular in Croatian opinion polls, and are set to make a solid impact in national elections scheduled for 2016.
EGP Co-Chair Monica Frassoni says:
“We are delighted that this morning our Green family enlarged. SF has been part of the European Green Party both as an observer member, and then as an applicant member. As full member, their strong European perspective will be invaluable as we work to change Europe together. Likewise, ORaH is an asset to our family. The success of both SF and ORaH shows that people are eager to hear our Green message from North to South. We welcome SF and ORaH in our Green family and are looking forward to lively exchange and productive cooperation.”
Speaking on the new members, EGP Co-Chair Reinhard Bütikofer says:
“We welcome ORaH as a new member of the Green family and SF as a full member. Both SF and ORaH are valuable voices in our European family, and show that Green values are important all over Europe. Both parties had strong results in the European Parliament election, which shows that their messages has strongly resonated with voters.”
