Member of the Tweede Kamer

Marieke Koekkoek has been a member of the House of Representatives for Volt since March 31, 2021. “Politics is about what you pass on to the next generation, and especially about what you do not pass on. I want to pass on better protection of fundamental rights and combat all forms of exclusion!” Marieke tells more about herself below:

My name is Marieke Koekkoek, 34 years old. I grew up in Amsterdam-Zuidoost. Due to travelling, studying and working I have lived in Utrecht, Barcelona, ​​Leuven and Shenzhen (China). I now live with my husband, three young children and a rabbit in Utrecht Leidsche Rijn. I am a lawyer, specialising in international trade law. I play the violin, am LGBTI and in my spare time, I like to walk and write.

It is my deepest conviction that everyone should always be able to be themselves safely. We often forget – out of laziness, habit or prejudice – that protecting fundamental rights and inclusion in the law ultimately means nothing if we are not constantly alert to all forms of exclusion. Volt sees diversity as a strength, which is why I immediately became enthusiastic and joined the European movement in 2018.

What are you working on in the House of Representatives?

In the House, I am committed to a balanced policy, in which more voices are heard and which prevents exclusion. For example, I am committed to a humane and European asylum and migration policy, but also to ensuring that digital developments do not lead to exclusion. But I also want to make government policy accessible to ordinary citizens again, for example by advocating for nitrogen counters or more information about the role of the Dutch government in the European Union.  

In this way, we are working towards a more balanced politics, in which more voices are heard and which is less focused on 'scoring for the stage'. Politics that also looks beyond its own borders, but together builds a European future. The guarantee that you can be yourself safely does not stop at the Dutch border. Volt wants a new kind of politics, where it is not about a strong leader, but about many leaders together.