Learn more about my political values and my work in the Committees and Delegations.
Learn more about my political values and key topics.
Since my hometown Hamburg is part of the Hanseatic League and my parents led their own small company, the topic of trade has been with me my whole life. The single-market was the starting point of European unification and has been a success story ever since - it has brought advancement as well as wealth to the people and still bears so much more potential for Europe. As a Free Democrat, I strongly believe, that trade is also one of the best possibilities to strengthen international relations.
For young people, Europe is a promise - the promise to turn their dreams into reality. As President of the European Liberal Youth (LYMEC), I have traveled to 34 European countries and got to know many young, inspiring people and their stories. I am therefore committed to ensuring, that every young person in Europe has the same opportunities, regardless of their national and social background.
Politics needs diversity and more women in particular. Only with divers parliaments, we can tackle the issues and challenges of our time. We also need a shift in society - women must be met with more respect instead of prejudice. Generally, there must be a better compatibility of professional careers, private life and family for women.
Learn more about my work in the committees and delegations.
The European single market is one of the greatest achievements of the European Union. Free trade and the reduction of trade barriers are the foundation for our wealth in Europe. Within the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Production, I work for the systematic expansion of the internal market - I specifically support the development of a digital internal market within Europe. Furthermore, I am the vice president of the working group “Digital Internal Market”, in which we are working on new ideas and solutions for a digital union. Apart from that, it is a personal concern of mine to create an EU in which consumers and multinational companies can meet on equal terms.
The Committee on International Trade is responsible for every trade agreement the European Union negotiates or signs with other countries or regions. The European Parliament plays an active role in the trade policy of the European Union. Every agreement is evaluated by the European Parliament and the work of the European Commission is monitored in every stage of the negotiations. Apart from that, the European Parliament decides on the judicial framework of trade in the EU and most importantly, if an agreement is ratified or not. The competences of the Committee are divided in so called “monitoring groups”. Work within the committee is divided into so-called "monitoring groups" - I am part of the groups for the Union of South-East Asian countries (ASEAN countries), South Asia and India. For this reason, I am responsible for everything that is connected to trade in this region for my group. I especially work for fair and sustainable trade that creates a level playing field and strengthens human rights.
Despite the work in the Committees delegations deal with the parliamentary relations to other countries and regions in the world. I am a full member of the delegation for the relation to South Asian countries (ASEAN countries) and a subsidiary member of the delegation for the relation to Australia and New Zeeland. The delegations are determined to search for new possibilities to strengthen the political cooperation outside the framework of economy and trade to build strategic partnerships. This is mostly done by visits of parliamentary delegations in the European Parliament as well as visits of our delegation on the ground.
Besides the committees and groups there are the intergroups. These are coalitions of MEPs from many different groups and committees. I am part of the following intergroups:
• Rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals and intersexuals (LSBTI)
• anti-racism and diversity
• disability
• social economy
Transparency in my work for the European Parliament is a personal concern of mine. Therefore the use of resources and every meeting with lobbyist will be explained here.
My record of votes and those of other MEPs can be found on the website of the European Parliament.
On the website of the European Parliament I publish every meeting with lobbyists. Every member of the parliament working on the preparation for a specific legislation have to publish their meetings with lobbyists. For the sake of transparency I publish every meeting with lobbyists
Every Member of the Parliament receives the same monthly emoluments. The basic compensation is measured at 38,5% of the compensation of a judge at the European Court of Justice. Additionally, members receive daily allowance for sessions in Brussels or Strasbourg to cover their additional costs. The general compensation should cover expenses resulting from parliamentary work such as rent of offices and administrative charges, telephone, subscriptions, representative activities, computers, organization of conferences and exhibitions. For 2020 the monthly amount is 4.613 euros.
An overview about the compensations and budgets allocated to Members of the European Parliament can be found here.
