At the Extraordinary Congress on 20 March, delegates approved the nomination of Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann as ALDE Party’s lead candidate for the European elections.
A Member of the German Bundestag since 2017 and current Chair of its Defence Committee, Strack-Zimmermann is one of the most prominent and outspoken voices on Russia’s war, tirelessly calling for stronger support for Ukraine.
This interview was originally published in ALDE Party's Liberal Bulletin in April 2024. Click here to read the full publication.
Q: How did you get into politics and become a liberal?
MASZ: My parents were very political – they were quite conservative. I could not identify with the conservative image of women, though. Growing up in the 60s and 70s in West Germany, there really only were three options: conservative, liberal or social democratic. The liberal values resonated most with me.
Q: What is your vision for the next European term?
MASZ: Promoting greater European independence and resilience in the face of increasing foreign and security policy challenges, as well as unlocking the full potential of the European economy by freeing it from overly complex bureaucracy that has become a barrier to growth and innovation.
Q: Why should European citizens vote?
MASZ: Voting in the European elections empowers European citizens to shape the future of their communities and countries, as well as the European Union as a whole.
Q: Why do we need liberals in positions of power?
MASZ: In times of crisis, people tend to gravitate towards strong leaders that often consolidate their power by suspending basic human rights. Liberalism places a strong emphasis on protecting the rights and freedoms of individuals, even during times of crisis, to ensure that people are not subjected to arbitrary government actions.
Q: What’s the wildest thing you would be willing to do to see liberals win the elections?
MASZ: I would challenge Ursula von der Leyen to a motorcycle race.