Inside the divided coalition coming for the Green Deal

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on POLITICO or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: A growing coalition of business leaders, centrist politicians, and the far right is challenging the EU’s Green Deal, calling for deregulation and reduced climate rules
• While business groups demand weaker regulations without abandoning climate goals, the far right seeks to dismantle the Green Deal entirely
• The European People’s Party (EPP), the EU’s largest political group, is shifting its stance, adding uncertainty to the future of the climate policy package

🔭 The context: The Green Deal, once a cornerstone of EU policy, now faces mounting pressure from industry groups citing excessive bureaucracy and economic burdens
• Recent European elections strengthened right-wing parties, prompting the European Commission to pivot toward economic competitiveness
• A January 2024 industry manifesto, backed by nearly 1,300 organizations, urged the EU to prioritize deregulation over environmental policies

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Weakening or rolling back the Green Deal could slow Europe’s transition to a low-carbon economy and undermine global climate leadership
• Critics argue that reducing regulations will harm climate progress and embolden polluters
• If centrist parties align with the far right to dilute green policies, the EU’s climate commitments may be at risk

⏭️ What's next: The European Commission will propose changes to environmental regulations this month, aiming to balance economic growth with climate goals
• A key test will be whether the EPP and far-right parties form a majority to push deregulation through Parliament
• If centrist support for the Green Deal crumbles, it could signal a major political shift in EU policymaking

💬 One quote: “If the center right starts to mimic the radical right, it’s the radical right that wins.” — Frans Timmermans, former EU Green Deal commissioner

📈 One stat: Nearly 1,300 organizations backed the Antwerp Declaration, calling for deregulation and fewer green rules

Click for more news covering the latest on public governance