The new European platform for leftist parties, the ‘European Left Alliance for the Planet and the People’, aims to present an alternative to the neoliberal forces in the EU, with a focus on social and gender equality, green policies, and the defense of workers’, women’s, and LGBT rights. The alliance includes members from various leftist parties such as La France insoumise, Podemos, and Vasemmistoliitto, amongst others. This new platform seeks to reunite the left and attract political forces previously unallied with parties, with discussions ongoing with potential new members such as Sinistra Italiana. ELA aims to create an open cooperation platform and does not intend to form a new group in the European Parliament.
While the members of ELA have agreed on certain issues, such as condemning Russia’s invasion and aggression against Ukraine and supporting Ukraine’s right to defend itself, there are still differences within the alliance. Some parties, particularly those from the Nordic countries, strongly advocate for sending military aid to Ukraine, while others, like Spain’s Podemos, oppose this and advocate for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Despite these differences, the alliance’s stance on geopolitical issues is described as an “anti-NATO coalition” with a focus on providing an alternative to the EU defense system aligned with NATO principles and US objectives.
The founding members of ELA come from various leftist parties that split from the Party of the European Left, seeking a different way to act and a greater engagement with ordinary citizens. The alliance believes that the PEL was not sufficiently engaged with the concerns of ordinary citizens and aims to create a green left alliance that meets the expectations of the 21st century. Members of ELA, including La France Insoumise’s Manon Aubry, expressed pride in being outside the coalition supporting Ursula von der Leyen’s commission and in vocal opposition to other leftist forces in the European Parliament. They criticized the Socialist and Democrats group for policies such as the revision of the Growth and Stability Pact and the Pact on Migration and Asylum, as well as their support for free trade agreements and the watering down of climate ambition.
The launch of the ‘European Left Alliance for the Planet and the People’ took place in September, with the alliance’s priorities being presented in the European Parliament. The alliance embraces traditional leftist stances such as more social and gender equality, ambitious green policies, and the defense of workers’, women’s, and LGBT rights. Two of the alliance’s parties, Bloco de Esquerda and Enhedslisten, were former members of the Party of the European Left, while others like Podemos and La France Insoumise were observer members. The alliance is seen as a new platform for the European left, seeking to offer an alternative to neoliberal forces in the EU and creating a green left alliance fit for the 21st century.
Although the parties within ELA have broadly agreed to support Ukraine and condemn Russia’s invasion, there are still differences in the alliance, particularly regarding the issue of military aid to Ukraine. Some parties within ELA strongly support sending military aid to Ukraine, while others advocate for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. However, the alliance’s overall position on geopolitical issues is described as an “anti-NATO coalition”, with a focus on providing an alternative to the EU defense system aligned with NATO principles and US objectives. ELA aims to create a united front on the European left, attracting new political forces and striving to provide an alternative to the current mainstream political landscape in the EU.
