Mels Michiel Klabbers

Nationality: Dutch

Member Association past two years: Volt Netherlands

Gender: Male

What do you see as the most urgent democratic challenge facing Volt Europa's mission across the continent, and how would you lead the organisation's response? 

There are many democratic challenges facing Europe. From political systems that aren’t open to new parties, to high cost for participation in elections, to media environments that are often reluctant to engage with new political actors. Yet all of these are overshadowed by a larger and more fundamental threat: foreign interference.

Examples can already be seen across Europe. From the activities of Black Cube in Slovenia, to the political influence surrounding JD Vance in Hungary, and more broadly the strategy of  Trump to facilitate and support far-right movements through political backing, resources, and international coordination. These developments pose a direct challenge to our democratic institutions, to European democracy, and ultimately to the European Union itself.

I do not live under the illusion that Volt alone has the power (yet) to resolve this challenge. But we do have a responsibility to play our part: to call out interference where it occurs, to strengthen democratic resilience, and to advocate in Brussels for the measures needed to protect our institutions whenever and wherever necessary.

We have three years to build momentum and trust in the population that a different Europe is possible only with Volt. Volt Europa as a political force will be a purple superboost for chapters and our ambitions. Let's get to work.

How would you handle a public disagreement with your Co-President on a matter of political strategy? 

In the last 2,5 years I’ve learned how to co-lead together. We had a simple but effective way of dealing with these agreements. Every time we hit a wall we would go back to Volt’s values and see if what we were doing/deciding was still in line with the core of our identity. That basis and the ability of giving space, trust and ownership to your co-lead is the basis of harmonised decision making.

In what way will you ensure the European Board remains accountable to local volunteers and members in practice? Please give 2–3 specific mechanisms. 

Through town halls (online/in-person member meetings), by creating clear expectations and deliverables as done in our strategy Shine29, and through the consistent implementation of our statutes, which were democratised by the previous board, and now give more room for member participation on the EUR level (General Assembly).