The group announced on Thursday that the hoped-for donation amount of 50,000 euros had been received within six hours of announcing their plans. In addition, more than a hundred supporters have now come forward to collect the 4,500 signatures necessary for approval to vote.
The group announced last week that it had founded an “other political association” called “Shaking up Parliament – Voice of the Last Generation” with which it wants to run in the European elections on June 9th. In contrast to federal elections, these so-called other political associations can take part in elections to the European Parliament in addition to parties. If they receive more than 0.5 percent of the votes cast, they are entitled to state subsidies.
“Fossil highway towards collapse”
“While party politics is stuck on the fossil highway towards collapse, we are now taking our resistance to the EU Parliament and are being supported by a wave of support,” explains EU leading candidate Lina Johnsen. Candidate Theodor Schnarr explains that the last generation will stand for election with “clear demands” that “show the prospect of a socially just and democratic change.”
In a program published online, the Last Generation calls for the Europe-wide introduction of randomly drawn social councils and the fastest possible exit from coal, gas and oil. The group also wants to advocate for global social justice and support climate justice movements. The Last Generation published a list of twelve candidates for the EU elections.
Refrain from sticking demonstrators
According to the Federal Returning Officer, “other political associations” must be a membership organization, take part in the formation of political will, aim to participate in parliaments and be active in at least one of the EU member states. Participation in other national or local elections is not a prerequisite for standing in the European elections.
The Last Generation has been causing a stir with high-profile protests for over two years. The group recently announced that it would forego its best-known form of protest – road blockades by sticking demonstrators to roadways. “From now on we will protest in a different form – but it will remain unignorable,” it said in a statement.
