Volt in the News
(selected articles from 2024)
🇩🇪 The Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland e.V. (BUND Bundesgeschäftsstelle) analysed the voting process for 30 legislative proposals in the areas of nature conservation, climate and environmental protection in the European Parliament. With a value of 100, Volt with its MEP Damian Boeselager was the only German party which has always voted in favour of nature and the climate. (Bund.net, 10.06.2024)
🇮🇹 On a diplomatic mission to Kyiv, Volt Europa Co-president Francesca Romana D'Antuono, together with Volt candidates in the European elections from different countries, experienced the new normality of its inhabitants, who have learned to live in the intervals between missile alerts, and identified the lines along which Brussels must act to guarantee the continent's security. Europe should support Ukrainian civil society to implement government reforms that have an impact both at the institutional level and in the everyday life of the population. We want Ukraine to become an EU Member State by 2030 and to participate in the Union in stages even before formal membership, says Francesca in her article in Linkiesta and concludes: “The peaceful, free, democratic and European future of Ukraine is the future of all of us in Europe.” (Linkiesta, 11.05.2024)
🇸🇰 In a guest article for The Slovak Spectator, lead candidate for Volt Slovensko, Lucia Klestincova says in order to put citizens' interests first, the EU must be transformed. Volt proposes 1. To reform the European Commission into a European government, 2. To establish a European Senate, 3. To give the European Parliament the legislative initiative, 4. To turn the Court of Justice into a Constitutional Court and 5. To initiate a European Convention on reform of the European Treaties. (The Slovak Spectator, 09.05.2024)
🇲🇹 MaltaToday focusses in an article on Volt Maltas only candidate Matthias Iannis Portelli and his plan to strengthen the rights for the LGBTQIA+ community, sexual and reproductive health rights, as well as to create a European Basic Income. (MaltaToday, 09.05.2024)
🇱🇺 In an interview with RTL Lëtzebuerg candidate for Volt Luxemburg Daniel Silva talked about the upcoming European elections. Daniel, also General Secretary, advocates for a more federal Europe, because only then the EU could solve all the challenges. Important would be also to abolish the unanimity for European decisions. With a veto right, important decisions could be blocked by a single member state, argues Daniel. (RTL Lëtzebuerg, 07.05.2024)
🇵🇹 In a guest article in Público by list leader for Volt Portugal Duarte Costa, list leader for Volt Belgium Sophie in 't Veld and Ana Gomes, former PS MEP, they reflect on 50 years of democracy in Portugal after the Carnation Revolution and also think about European democracy. “It's safe to say that European democracy is not in good health. The problems in Hungary, Poland and several other EU countries have caused real damage to common European values”, they argue. That is why Portuguese voters play an essential role, because few countries in Europe understand the power of democracy (and how fragile it can be) as well as Portugal. The revolution is not only a source of pride, but also an important lesson for the rest of Europe. Without a strong European anchor to keep the 27 members aligned and committed to the rules they have signed up to, things can get out of hand very quickly, critising hereby von der Leyens presidency. (Público, 29.04.2024)
🇪🇸 Lead candidate for Volt Spain, Clara Panella Gómez discussed several topics in an in-depth interview with El Generacional. She talks about her visit to Ukraine two weeks ago and emphasises that “Ukraine needs much, much stronger support than it is receiving”, also highlighting that the “European Union is a peace project and we want it to remain so. That is why we also want a Ukraine within the European Union, within a peaceful Europe.” (El Generacional, 28.04.2024)
🇩🇪 In a portrait by the Handelsblatt, Damian said that we “stopped thinking about Europe - We believed that Europe would remain constant. But nothing remains constant”, focusing on the democratic constitution of the EU, which should be further developed by reforming electoral law and strengthening the parliament. (Handelsblatt, 26.04.2024)
🇩🇪 Volt MEP Damian Boeselager was prominently featured in three major German newspapers and magazines. In an interview with Cicero – Magazin für politische Kultur, Damian defends the right to asylum and argues why immigration is necessary. When asked what distinguishes Volt from the Left and the Greens, he explains that Volts core issue is the European Union, “which we want to reform”. (Cicero, 23.04.2024)
🇩🇪 A new article by Rebecca Sawicki for watson focusses on Nela Riehl, running in second place on the list for Volt Deutschland: "I am a black woman in Germany. There's no way not to be political," she states. She wasn't in a political party though until Volt and Team Europa came. A programme designed to encourage people who may be afraid of contact or lack political role models in their lives. “In ten years, I want to be the first female European foreign minister and show that Europe is a Black woman. We are everything, we are diverse and that is our big European goal”. Osama Kezzo, also part of Team Europa and a candidate, wants to campaign for the rights of refugees and migrants. "Europe needs more people", he argues. (Watson, 23.04.2024)
🇧🇪 Suzana Carp, European climate policy specialist and lead candidate of Volt Belgium's francophone list for EP elections in June was interviewed by Romanian newspaper Adevărul. For Suzana, Volt is a party that really proposes a new vision for Europe, with concrete, non-ideological solutions. After the elections it will be necessary to revise the treaties to enable the EU to respond more effectively, more agile geopolitically and at the same time become more democratic, simpler and closer to its citizens. “Europe needs people with expertise, who understand how energy prices work and how they can be better managed, how living standards can be improved at European level, what an industrial strategy looks like, how education should evolve, etc. These people are not in populist parties.”, Suzana concludes. (Adevărul., 21.04.2024)
🇩🇪 In the latest edition of Euronews „Brussels, my love?“, Volt MEP and European Co-lead candidate Damian Boeselager was invited and commented on the EU migration pact: “I think this is not a step forward, but it's a step back" that won't help migrants or countries. "There's no actual solidarity when it comes to helping each other as the European Union. We have to really wake up and become immigration societies in a way that is more positive and not let ourselves be driven by the far right.” (Euronews, 13.04.2024)
🇧🇪 Volt Belgium did it: Led by ex-D66 MEP Sophie in 't Veld, Volt collected signatures and enough support from politicians from other parties to be able to take part in the European Parliament elections in Flanders in June, reports Dutch outlet NRC. Volt will also take part in the Belgian parliamentary elections for the first time, nationally and regionally. Laurens Dassen, party leader of Volt Nederland, called the news "a fantastic milestone". In 't Veld says she will do everything in the next two months "to mobilise progressive, democratic forces". "Everyone now blindly assumes that the far-right will have a big victory in June, but polls are polls." (nrc, 14.04.2024)
🇩🇪 Before the European Parliament is elected in June, Frankfurt has proclaimed May "Europe Month" with a series of events, media outlets from Frankfurt report. Making the European Union and the upcoming elections more tangible is also an important concern for Eileen O'Sullivan, she reported at a press event on Wednesday. The city councillor responsible for international affairs has therefore initiated projects with her department, supported many initiatives and planned numerous events. They are all intended to convey a deeper understanding of the importance of Europe. (Frankfurter Rundschau, 10.04.2024)
🇨🇾 Kathimerini presents in an article Volt Cyprus’ candidates for the European Parliament. Lead candidate Andromachi Sophocleous told the newspaper: "We decided to take this step to change things, because otherwise we are not breathing. We aspire with our vote in the June European elections to be counted. It's about time!”. Second lead candidate Hulusi Kilim commented that “Europe wants to listen to us, it needs us, because the system must work for its citizens”. This can only happen if we, the citizens, actively participate in the process and listen to the vision of the European Commission, which from the beginning set the goal of bringing Turkish Cypriots closer to the European Union. (Kathimerini, 09.04.2024)
🇧🇪 🇩🇪 On the weekend Sophie in 't Veld and Damian Boeselager were chosen by the members of Volt Europa in Brussels as lead candidates for the European Parliament election. Damian told Euronews, who published the result in several languages, that all chapters of Volt have “the same name, the same foundation program, the same brand [and] one European electoral program”, Sophie emphasised that “we have two months time to convince people not to vote for extremists, but […] for pro-European, progressive and let’s say, optimist policies.” (Euronews, 06.04.2024)
🇱🇺 Volt in Luxembourg announced their candidates and election programme for the European elections, writes the Luxemburger Wort. This will be the second candidacy after Volt was able to collect 2,1 % of the votes in 2019. The top candidates in 2024 are Aurélie Dap and Philippe Schannes. (Luxemburger Wort, 04.04.2024)
🇲🇹 Matthias Iannis Portelli, Volt Malta candidate for the European elections, writes in his article in “A Bird’s Eye View” that his aim, if elected to the European Parliament, would be to ensure that Malta’s unique needs are heard in Brussels. This mission involves advocating for policies that recognise and address the distinct challenges faced by the various EU states, and as a Maltese representative I believe it would be my duty to make sure our peripheral voice is heard loud and clear. (A Bird's Eye View Malta, 04.04.2024)
🇨🇿 “A common EU army will save money and strengthen Europe. And the Czech Republic can benefit from it”, writes Comms Co-Lead and board member of Volt Czechia Adam Hruška in his article for Hospodárske noviny. The article showcases the empirical foundation of the beneficial aspects as well as the implications of such phenomena on the heavily industrialized economy of Czechia. (Hospodárske noviny, 02.04.2024)
🇸🇰 Of the 24 Slovak parties and coalitions running in the upcoming European Parliament elections, only five have women heading their slates, writes tasr, among others. Volt Slovensko is one of the five parties (led by Lucia Klestincova) and also the only party, which has a majority female list. The first time ever in Slovakia. (tasr, 30.03.2024)
🇦🇹 Volt Österreich lead candidates for the European elections Nini Tsiklauri and Alexander Harrer put a large inflatable elephant with an EU flag in front of the parliament in Vienna to symbolise the proverbial "elephant in the room", namely that national parties cannot solve the major European problems. That is why a common European approach to challenges such as the climate crisis, migration, digitalisation and security is needed, according to Nini. In Austria, the party must collect 2,600 declarations of support from eligible voters by 26 April. 2019 the list failed to meet this hurdle. Alexander is optimistic that the party now has more experience and a larger team. "And when, if not now, do we need a pan-European progressive force in the European Parliament," argues Nini. (Vienna Online, 26.03.2024)
🇵🇹 In an article for Postal secretary-general of Volt Portugal Yannick Schade talks about how he got into politics and the low voter turnout in Portugal. “We all need an EU that works better, that is able to protect our rights and improve our lives, and I believe that we all need to get involved in politics to achieve this. We need a stronger, more democratic EU that is a power in the world, so that it has a positive impact on the continent and the world”, Yannick emphasises. (Postal, 22.03.2024)
🇮🇹 Volt prepares for the regional elections in Basilicata on April 21/22th, writes TRM. Regional coordinator Eustachio Follia is one of the presidential candidates. Eustachio leads the movement, which aims in particular to counter depopulation and enhance local resources to generate development and opportunities, especially for young people. The group intends to offer an alternative strategy to the traditional political divide, aiming to restore 'trust and value' to the Lucanian community through a 'good politics' approach. (TRM, 19.03.2024)
HU After the European Parliament approved a new European media law to ensure the independence of the media, Sophie in 't Veld, MEP, lead candidate at the European elections for Volt Belgium and member of the European Parliament's Pegasus Committee of Inquiry, criticised Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for the historic low in EU relations under his government, including the rule of law case, reports RTL in Hungary. Sophie asks if "we really have to accept that all the work we put into [EU-]accession [in 2004] was in vain? - "No, we cannot accept that”, she concludes and believes things will get better in a Hungary after Orban. (RTL Hungary, 19.03.2024)
🇸🇪 Europaportalen published the list of candidates for the European Parliament election, including smaller parties like Volt Sverige, which contains Ted Lindström, Alexander Löf, Carri Ginter Wikström and Michael Holz. (Europaportalen, 15.03.2024)
🇫🇷 Last Friday the Parti Radical de Gauche (PRG) held a press conference with the regionalists from Régions & Peuples Solidaires (R & PS) and Volt France to announce the first five names on their list for the European Parliament elections. Sven Franck from Volt France is in 5th place on the list. This pan-European movement aims to "build a real European democracy", writes Ouest-France. (Ouest-France, 15.03.2024)
Black box Europe: What does an MEP, Damian Boeselager, do?
Damian Boeselager talks about his work in Brussels and his plans for a possible second term. He negotiated constitutional issues, asylum and migration policy, the budget, the economy and industry and energy issues. His favourite projects include the EU Data Act and the EU Talent Pool. In the future he wants to abolish the unanimity principle to make the EU more democratic. (Watson, 27.03.2024)European elections: "I would abolish the European asylum system"
Osama Kezzo fled Syria and is now a integration and migration helper at Caritas in Germany and counsels refugees. His main focus as a candidate for the European elections is "a more humane asylum policy”, because the “current asylum reform violates human rights and is very inhumane”. (Süddeutsche Zeitung, 25.03.2024)Smart City head of department: "City must adapt to its citizens"
Maral Koohestanian, in charge of the Department for Smart City, Europe and Public Order in Wiesbaden since July 2023, talked in an interview about her first experiences in office, digitalisation and Smart City. (Wiesbadener Kurier, 11.03.2024)Volt, the political party that is reinventing the rules of the European game in the Czech Republic too
In a portrait about Volt Czechia, Slavomir Manasek, member of the Volt Europa, explains: "Volt's ambition is therefore to show that more European cooperation is needed to find solutions.“ (Radio Prague International, 11.03.2024)Andromachi Sophocleous: We cannot be whole without the Turkish Cypriots
Andromachi Sophocleous, co-chair of Volt Cyprus and candidate for the European Parliament election is proud of the wholehearted desire expressed in Volt Cyprus constitution itself wanting a united, federal Cyprus, with political equality. Volt is the first bicommunal party in Cyprus. (Cyprus Mirror, 10.03.2024)'Putin is laughing his ass off,' says Laurens Dassen (Volt) on European divisions
More European unity is acutely needed when it comes to security, according to Laurens Dassen, Volt Nederland leader and member of the Dutch parliament since 2021. “We are in a dangerous situation because it is far from certain that Putin will stop at Ukraine.” (NRC, 06.03.2024)EU election in Austria: "Over half a million people excluded"
EU citizens with main residence in Austria must have submitted an application for a voter register by March 26th. As many people were unaware of this, over half a million people did not vote in 2019. Volt Österreich wants to change this and has launched a new website with all the information needed to register: www.voteurope.eu. (Kronen Zeitung, 03.03.2024)Eileen O'Sullivan: "We need a cultural change in the city administration"
Head of Department Eileen O'Sullivan warns of a collapse in Frankfurt's offices and calls for more flexible working time models, better pay and a much stronger focus on digitalisation, she says in an interview. (Frankfurter Rundschau, 29.02.2024)Two years into Russia’s war against Ukraine: geopolitical reality check and war fatigue
On the 2nd anniversary of the war in Ukraine, Co-Lead of Volt Ukraine, Anastasiia Vozovych writes about the fear she felt on the day of the invasion, the reality of war fatigue, and the future of Ukraine in the EU. (Brussels Morning, 24.02.2024)Belgian party system designed to keep newcomers out, Dutch MEP warns
New parties joining the Belgian political system face an uphill battle to establish themselves alongside well-funded and already-established groups, MEP Sophie in 't Veld, running with Volt Belgium, said in an interview. (Euractiv, 21.02.2024)Adopting the Euro is a test of whether we are serious about the EU
20 years after Czechia entered the EU, politicians still hesitate to support the adoption of Euro and find support within the population, writes Slavomir Manasek, Non-executive board member of Volt Europa, in Seznam. It provides some ideas how to reorient public discussion and forge a political alliance to achieve this important step in European integration. (seznam, 20.02.2024)Lucia Kleštincová will lead the newly founded party Volt Slovakia in the European elections
Volt Slovensko has been registered as a political party, the 20th inside of Volt Europa. According to Lucia Klestincova, the candidate list represents a picture of the diversity of their country in terms of the generations, regions, genders, communities and professions represented. (rtv Správy, 14.02.2024)Cármen Anacleto Sonnberger, Volt Portugal candidate for the European constituency
Cármen Sonnberger is Volt Portugal's candidate for the 2024 European Parliamentary elections and also third on the list of candidates for the European Parliament elections for Volt Austria. "My dual candidacy is only possible with a pan-European party, which allows me to participate in the political life of Portugal and Austria at the same time.” (gazeta Lusófona, 13.02.2024)The founding General Assembly of Volt Slovakia will take place on Saturday, the membership will elect their chairmen
Right before the founding General Assembly of Volt Slovensko Lucia Klestincova said: “Slovakia needs a radically new quality of politics based on expertise, openness and humanity. Our politics has utterly failed in its ability to be a platform for value-based leadership of European calibre.” Co-President Rick Zedník highlights that a “whole generation of Slovakians who consider themselves Europeans is demanding modern and open political leadership.” (SITA, 31.01.2024)Demonstrators set an example for a "colourful" Europe
Volt Germany invites people to a demonstration against right-wing populism, while having a national party conference in Unna. Rebekka Müller, one of the lead candidates for the European elections, explained: "Under no circumstances am I prepared to leave this country to far-right forces. That's why we have to speak up NOW!" (Hellweger Anzeiger, 21.01.2024)'We as Volt want asylum seekers to be given decent accommodation'
In an interview Laurens Dassen, Volt Nederland leader and member of the Dutch parliament since 2021, speaks about possible EU members, Volts achievements as well as the future coalition in the Netherlands, which should be “European, social and green” and “never […] with the PVV”. (De Kanttekening, 19.01.2024)Volt wants to invest in wages, railways, housing and healthy food
Mobility is another one of the issues listed by the Volt Portugal candidate in the electoral programme, defending plans for railways. (Renascença, 13.01.2024)CDU and SPD want to make it more difficult for splinter groups to enter town halls
Volt calls it an "attack on local democracy" and an attempt by the CDU and SPD to "deprive their critics in local parliaments of their basis for existence", says Martin Huber, parliamentary group leader of Volt in Frankfurt's Römer. (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 06.01.2024)These MEPs see threats to the EU in 2024, but also huge opportunities
MEP Sophie in 't Veld emphasised when asked about the biggest challenges facing the EU: "We have to stop sleepwalking and take responsibility", “not just because there are threats […] but there are also huge opportunities for Europe." (EenVandaag, 04.01.2024)5 ideas for the next European Parliament #1 Fiscal justice
Volt Europa Co-President Francesca Romana D'Antuono presents the first of 5 ideas for the next European Parliament, together with former Co-President of Volt Italia Gianluca Guerra. In this article about fiscal justice. (FACE Magazine, 03.01.2024)