Three questions with Terry Reintke on the European elections

Corona and the attack on Ukraine have highlighted the need to reduce risks in supply chains and access to raw materials. As Greens, we continue to advocate a forward-looking and open trade policy. This requires supporting European companies to diversify their investment activities and value chains and thus strengthen their resilience to external shocks. We are also committed to transparent food labeling that enables consumers to make informed choices. Reducing food waste is also a key part of our agenda.

For me, Europe means hope, prosperity and progress. Whether at marches for press freedom in Hungary, Prides in Georgia and Serbia or the anti-legal demonstrations in Germany – European flags are flying everywhere. Only with Europe can we solve the problems of our time: together we can make our economy fit for a climate-neutral future, protect ourselves from autocrats like Putin and ensure that everyone lives with social security.

A European election is a direct opportunity to help shape the future of Europe. This election is crucial for many areas of our lives, from the climate-neutral modernization of our industries to the protection of democracy from legal and authoritarian forces. If we look at the current polls, there is a risk that far-right parties will block forward-looking policies.

It is therefore up to us to build a majority of democratic parties in parliament to actually tackle the major challenges facing the economy, climate and democracy.