Strengthened Left will fight for alternatives to ‘EU leaders' dud politics’ — GUE/NGL

GABI ZIMMER, President of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL), has said she is delighted at the nearly 50% increase in the size of the group to 52 MEPs.

The strengthened group, she said, will give a strong voice within the European Parliament “to the poor, the excluded, the unemployed, and the young, as well as to social movements and workers”.

The boost to numbers includes Sinn Féin’s dramatic increase from one to four MEPs to represent all-Ireland with the re-election of Martina Anderson for the Six Counties and the breakthrough election of Lynn Boylan (Dublin), Liadh Ní Riada (Ireland South) and Matt Carthy (Ireland Midlands North West).

Gabi Zimmer (right) said she was very happy to welcome new members from Podemos (Spain), L'Altra Europa con Tsipras (Italy), the animal rights parties from the Netherlands and Germany, Bildu (Basque Country), and Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan as an Independent member from Ireland.

“We are looking forward to working together with new Left forces in order to give a strong voice within the European Parliament to the poor, the excluded, the unemployed, and the young, as well as to social movements and workers,” Gabi Zimmer said.

“With this inclusive and enlarged group we will push for real alternatives at the European level in all policy areas, especially the urgent questions of ending austerity, fighting poverty and unemployment, countering the EU-US TTIP trade negotiations, and moving to a sustainable economy.

“Millions of citizens have put their faith in us and we will not disappoint them.”