Spanish deputy PM and green transition minister Teresa Ribera made her ambitions clear during an interview published in Politico on Friday, May 10th, by slamming Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for her “huge” mistake of softening climate targets.
The wannabe-Green Deal chief was nominated by Pedro Sánchez as Spain’s candidate for the next College of Commissioners, and Ribera wants to ensure that she will have the power to push through the most radical green transition goals possible—without any of the compromises with conservatives the Left accuses von der Leyen and the European People’s Party (EPP) of.
“I’m not going to accept being part of the décor,” Ribera said, adding that whatever job she’ll take needs to have “teeth.” Her idea? Combine three relevant portfolios—climate, environment, and energy—into one, to ensure that she implements her radical green agenda uncontested in the Commission.
According to Ribera, von der Leyen’s willingness to compromise on Green Deal objectives is a “great mistake,” as there is “no time to waste” when it comes to climate change.
Being in charge of the EU’s green transition is one of the most powerful jobs one can have in the 27-member cabinet that is the European Commission. If the last five years were about hammering out the details of what needs to be done to give Europe a cleaner (but poorer) future, the next five are expected to be about overseeing implementation in the member states.
Ribera clearly thinks that’s not enough and wants instead to intensify the (already catastrophic) climate policies. “We still need to do much more,” she said, starting with reversing the few minor compromises von der Leyen and EPP conceded in the past few months in response to the farmers’ protests and gearing up for the election.
According to the minister, these compromises attest to von der Leyen’s willingness to work with the “far-right,” which she deemed “unacceptable.” This “rapprochement is a terrible strategy that only emboldens the most terrible factions,” Ribera said, arguing that giving into the Right could lead to Europe’s “implosion” in the next five years.
The narrative that the Commission president and the EPP in general are collaborating with the alleged extreme-right (ECR, ID) has been a central part of the Brussels Left’s—especially the socialists’ (S&D)—campaign strategy. The aim is to shame EPP into sticking with its leftist allies despite widespread electoral dissatisfaction and dwindling electoral support to protect Brussels’ current, leftist-dominated status quo.
Furthermore, Ribera would also tweak the existing and more radical policies. One of her first priorities would be to change the EU’s 90% emission reduction target by 2040 to “at least” 90%.
Additionally, in contrast to von der Leyen’s carrot—her “business-led approach” that incentivizes going green by offering compensation to companies—Ribera would instead brandish the stick by introducing penalties for those who aren’t complying quickly enough. EU companies must understand “how important it is to preserve their reputations,” she said.
