Die Grauen — Graue Panther
The Grays — Gray Panthers
Centre
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No affiliated group in the European Parliament
The Grays – For All Generations is a German minor party founded in 2017 that sees itself as a cross-generational political force. It considers itself in the tradition of the earlier movement Gray Panthers, but does not focus exclusively on seniors, but on social justice for all age groups. Its political priorities include, among other things, the introduction of a legal minimum pension, the reduction of the retirement age, and the improvement of care standards. Despite its efforts, the party has so far achieved no significant electoral successes and is not represented in any German parliament.
Foundation and Background
Foundation and Background
The party The Grays – For All Generations was founded on May 13, 2017, in Berlin. It sees itself in the tradition of the former movement Gray Panthers, which advocated for the rights of older people. In contrast to its predecessors, The Grays do not see themselves as a pure senior party but pursue a cross-generational approach, which is also reflected in the name addition 'For All Generations.' The goal is to represent the interests of all age groups and promote social justice.
Political Orientation and Goals
Political Orientation and Goals
The Grays position themselves politically between center-left, left-liberal, and moderately value-conservative. Their main concerns include the introduction of a legal minimum pension, the gradual reduction of the retirement age to 60 years, and the improvement of care standards. Additionally, they demand family and age-appropriate housing construction, as well as the integration of all statutory health insurances. These measures should be financed by higher taxation of top earners and the introduction of a wealth tax.
Election Results and Political Presence
Election Results and Political Presence
Since its founding, The Grays have participated in various elections but have not yet achieved significant successes. In the 2017 federal election, they were accepted by the Federal Election Committee but did not reach the required number of votes to enter the Bundestag. Also, in other elections, such as the 2023 House of Representatives election in Berlin, they fell below the five percent hurdle. Thus, they are currently not represented in any German parliament.
Differences to Earlier Gray Panther Parties
Differences to Earlier Gray Panther Parties
Although The Grays stand in the tradition of the Gray Panthers, they differ in several points. While the original Gray Panthers, founded by Trude Unruh, mainly represented the interests of seniors, The Grays pursue a broader, cross-generational approach. They want to consider the needs of all age groups and emphasize social justice for both young and old alike.