Greens Party of Western Coimbra and Riverside

Greens Party of Western Coimbra and Riverside
Leader	John Ash Olsson
Founder	Maya Olsson
Founded	15, May 2001
Merger of	RGC WCGP
Headquarters	Western Coimbra, Lunolia
Ideology	Green politics
Political position	Centre-left
Colors	Green
City Council (Riverside and Western Coimbra) Seats	2 / 60

Greens Party of Western Coimbra and Riverside (GPWCR) is a political Party in Western Coimbra, Lunolia (First Republic of Lunolia). It was formed on May 15, 2001, as a merger between the Riverside Green Coalition (RGC) and the Western Coimbra Green Party (WCGP). The party was co-founded by Maya Olsson, an environmentalist and city councilor from Riverside, driven by her commitment to environmental justice and sustainable policies for both urban and rural communities in the region.

History and Formation:

The GPWCR was created in response to growing environmental challenges faced by the Riverside region and the broader Western Coimbra area. Both the Riverside Green Coalition and Western Coimbra Green Party were advocating for local environmental protection, but leadership from both organizations saw greater strength in unifying their efforts.

Maya Olsson, a well-known advocate for climate action and sustainability, was instrumental in the party's formation. As a city councilor in Riverside, she became known for her progressive environmental policies and urban sustainability programs. She spearheaded the merger to form a more influential and cohesive political force capable of shaping local policies on environmental and social issues.

Ideology and Goals:

The GPWCR is committed to ecological sustainability, environmental justice, and creating a greener economy. The party promotes policies that address climate change, reduce pollution, and conserve natural resources. The GPWCR envisions a future where clean energy, green jobs, and social equity are central to the economic and political structure of Lunolia. The party also strongly advocates for transparency, inclusivity, and participatory democracy.

Economic and Social Issues:

GPWCR's economic platform centers on transitioning to a green economy that provides sustainable jobs and reduces reliance on fossil fuels. The party supports progressive taxation, a robust social safety net, and investments in renewable energy. They advocate for social justice policies that address economic inequality and ensure that all communities benefit from economic growth, especially marginalized populations in Western Coimbra and Riverside.

Foreign Policy:

While the GPWCR primarily focuses on local and national issues, it also supports Lunolia’s participation in global environmental agreements and efforts to combat climate change. The party pushes for Lunolia to take a leadership role in international sustainability initiatives and opposes military interventions that contradict humanitarian and ecological principles.

Healthcare:

The GPWCR advocates for universal healthcare, emphasizing preventive care and environmental health. They argue that public health is directly linked to environmental conditions, pushing for policies that reduce pollution and ensure clean air and water for all citizens.

Education:

The party supports an education system that includes environmental education from a young age, ensuring that future generations are prepared to address climate challenges. They promote increased funding for public schools and universities, focusing on sustainability research and green technology programs.

Green New Deal:

One of the party's cornerstone policies is the Lunolian Green New Deal, a comprehensive proposal to transform Lunolia's economy by investing in renewable energy, creating green jobs, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. The Green New Deal also aims to ensure that frontline communities—those most affected by environmental degradation—are prioritized in this economic transformation.

Criminal Justice System:

The GPWCR calls for reforming the criminal justice system to focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment. They support decriminalizing minor offenses, especially those related to drug use, and ending mass incarceration. They advocate for community-based policing and investment in mental health and addiction services.

Racial Justice:

The GPWCR is committed to addressing racial disparities in policing, housing, and education. They support policies that promote racial equity, including criminal justice reform and affordable housing initiatives. The party also advocates for reparations and affirmative action programs to redress historic injustices against marginalized communities.

LGBT+ Rights:

The GPWCR has been a staunch defender of LGBT+ rights, supporting marriage equality, anti-discrimination laws, and gender-affirming healthcare. They advocate for greater inclusion of LGBT+ individuals in all aspects of society and fight against any policies that seek to roll back their rights.

Youth Rights:

The GPWCR recognizes the importance of engaging young people in the political process and supports policies that expand voting rights and political representation for youth. They advocate for lowering the voting age to 16 and increasing youth participation in decision-making on issues like education and climate change.

Leadership:

• Maya Olsson (15 May 2001 - June 7 2017)
• John Ash Olsson (June 7 2017 - present)

Mayoral Elections:

• 2014: Alexander McCarthy (22,741 votes) - Lost
• 2017: Alexander McCarthy (13,984 votes) - Lost
• 2022: Maya Olsson (70,116 votes) - Lost
• 2023: Irma Mendez III (12,922 votes) - Lost
• October 5, 2024 Mayoral Snap Elections: Lavon Morley Hastings and Penelope Sheldon (15,912 votes) - Lost

City Council Western Coimbra Elections:

Election year	First preferences	Total score	Score percentage	Seats
				Count	Of total
2014	0	6.12	1.9%	2 / 60	00.1%
2017	2	13.53	29.1% ▲	2 / 60	38.1% ▲
2022	2	41.7%	38.9%▲	2 / 60	64.8% ▲
2023	2	47.7%	40.1%▲	2 / 60	91.8% ▲