06 June ÖDP - The Nature Conservation Party criticizes EU election arena broadcast on ARD. MEP Manuela Ripa: "We demand equal treatment with Wagenknecht on television!"
MEP Manuela Ripa from the ÖDP - die Naturschutzpartei considers the composition of the ARD program "Wahlarena 2024 Europa" to be undemocratic and questionable. "It is an impossible process that smaller parliamentary parties have to remain outside, but at the same time parties are invited that are not yet represented in the European Parliament. Yet the ÖDP has been in the European Parliament for ten years," says Manuela Ripa, who has been an MEP since July 2020. The ÖDP - Nature Conservation Party politician adds: "The principle of equal opportunities must apply to all parties represented in the European Parliament. Especially since there is no blocking clause in the European elections next Sunday, June 9, 2024. We have been doing a good job in the European Parliament for years, but we are not invited to the election arena. That is not equal treatment," said the MEP.
After the European elections, the ÖDP wants to bring about a fundamental legal clarification of this issue for future elections.
The background to this is an urgent decision by the Higher Administrative Court to allow the BSW party to take part in the ARD broadcast on the European elections. WDR had only invited top representatives of the CDU, CSU, SPD, Greens, FDP, AFD and Left Party.