ABOUT ME:

Shushanik Avagyan is a young liberal leader from Armenia working at the intersection of politics, democracy, and youth empowerment. As International Officer of the Bright Armenia Party, she leads the party’s international engagement and builds cooperation with liberal and democratic partners across Europe. 

Alongside her political work, Shushanik has designed and led educational initiatives reaching hundreds of young people, equipping them with practical knowledge and skills in democracy, anti-corruption, public policy, and political leadership. Her work is driven by a belief that liberal values become meaningful when translated into stronger institutions and greater civic participation. 

ABOUT ME:

Lea Banger is a German liberal political leader and doctoral researcher whose work spans politics, conflict research and political communication. She serves as Chair of the Junge Liberale in Konstanz and has combined her political engagement with research at the University of Konstanz on how war and conflict affect inequality between groups.

Lea is also a strong advocate for political dialogue and reaching people beyond traditional political circles. In 2026, she founded the association “Letzte Freiheit” to bring greater public attention to end-of-life choices and advocate for a legal framework for assisted dying. Alongside her research and political work, she has worked on campaigns and digital communication, bringing an academic perspective to practical political organising.

ABOUT ME:

Jelena Banjac is a Serbian liberal activist and President of the Youth Forum of the Movement of Free Citizens (PSG). She has focused on giving young people a more meaningful role in Serbian public life, creating opportunities for them to engage in politics, develop civic skills and contribute to democratic change.  

Her work centres on education, critical thinking and youth participation, with a particular focus on helping young people become active citizens rather than passive observers of politics. Through grassroots organising and public advocacy, Jelena has worked to connect younger generations with democratic institutions and political movements. 

At a time when democratic participation remains a major challenge in Serbia, she represents a generation of liberal activists working to build political engagement from the ground up.

ABOUT ME:

Dávid Bedő is a Hungarian liberal politician who took an unconventional approach to political campaigning: instead of speaking primarily to Budapest, he spent much of 2025 and 2026 travelling through Hungary’s most heavily Fidesz-supporting rural communities, sitting down with residents and listening to their experiences. 

His street interviews reached millions of viewers online and brought conversations from some of Hungary’s poorest and most politically isolated communities into the national spotlight. One of his early investigations helped inspire the documentary The Price of a Vote, which exposed allegations of vote-buying and voter intimidation and was viewed more than two million times before the election. The campaign helped spark a volunteer movement that deployed thousands of observers to high-risk communities on election day.

ABOUT ME:

At just 18, Cían Bermingham is already working directly with Irish policymakers on issues affecting young people. As a member of the National Executive of Comhairle na nÓg, Ireland’s youth council network, he represents young people in discussions with government departments and decision-makers, with a particular focus on school stress, mental health and education reform. 

Alongside his national advocacy, Cían is active in Ógra Fianna Fáil and local community initiatives, using communications and campaigning to increase youth participation in public life. He has represented young people at national conferences and policy forums while also supporting mentoring, environmental projects and intergenerational initiatives. His focus is clear: young people should not simply be consulted by politicians but have a genuine role in shaping policy.

ABOUT ME:

Anouk van Brug is a Dutch liberal politician and Member of the European Parliament for the VVD. In 2024, she turned a ninth-place position on the party list - widely considered too low for a seat - into an electoral breakthrough, winning her mandate through preference votes after a highly visible grassroots campaign. 

Before entering politics, Anouk worked as a cybersecurity consultant and later became Chief Information Security Officer at the Dutch government’s centre for official publications, giving her a rare technical background in European digital security. In the European Parliament, she works on economic and budgetary affairs while championing cybersecurity, digital safety and innovation. A former JOVD leader, she combines technical expertise with political campaigning and a distinctly hands-on approach.

ABOUT ME:

Diana Buzoianu is Romania’s former Minister of Environment, Water and Forests and a liberal politician known for taking on difficult environmental challenges. Her work has focused on tackling illegal waste disposal, strengthening environmental enforcement and protecting Romania’s forests, including confronting practices that have long been difficult to address politically. In September 2026, she called for stronger measures against illegal waste transport, disposal and burning in the Sintești area, highlighting her focus on enforcement rather than simply setting environmental targets.

At the centre of her politics is a concern for the Romania that younger generations will inherit: cleaner air, protected natural resources and public institutions capable of enforcing the rules. Her profile combines environmental reform with a willingness to take on politically sensitive issues.

ABOUT ME:

Jana Degrott is a Belgian social entrepreneur and civic leader focused on making public life more inclusive and accessible. She co-founded WeBelongEurope, a platform bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to share experiences, build connections and challenge discrimination, with a particular focus on young people, women, people of colour and people with disabilities. 

Jana also uses storytelling to bring overlooked issues into public debate. Through her podcast Wat leeft?, she explores social and political questions while creating space for voices often missing from mainstream conversations. She is also the founder of Real Impact Hub, which helps organisations and public spaces improve accessibility and inclusion. 

Combining entrepreneurship, advocacy and storytelling, Jana turns inclusion from a principle into practical projects that bring people together.

ABOUT ME:

Christos Floros embodies a new generation of liberal leaders who successfully combine business excellence, entrepreneurship, and public service. Through his work at DP, he has demonstrated strategic leadership, delivering innovative solutions at the intersection of business, technology, and public policy while creating lasting value for clients and stakeholders. 

As the founder of Monnett Social, he has channelled his entrepreneurial vision into helping organisations and businesses strengthen their digital presence through impactful communications and innovative engagement strategies. Alongside his professional achievements, Christos has remained actively engaged in politics, championing liberal democratic values and contributing to discussions on Europe's competitiveness, innovation and democratic resilience.

ABOUT ME:

Pie Formosa is a Chinese dissident, non-binary refugee and human rights defender working at the intersection of liberal democracy, refugee protection and LGBTQIA+ equality. As founder and coordinator of PHRD.eu, they engage with European institutions, parliamentarians, civil society organisations and youth political networks to bring overlooked human rights issues onto the European agenda. 

Drawing on their own experiences of authoritarian persecution, exile and legal exclusion, Pie advocates for the rights of non-binary refugees, cross-border recognition of gender identity, access to trans healthcare and stronger European responses to transnational repression. Through public speaking and advocacy, they connect individual experiences of persecution with wider questions of democracy, freedom and equal citizenship, turning lived experience into political action.

ABOUT ME:

Sigrid Friis is a Danish liberal politician and Member of the European Parliament who became her party’s lead candidate for the 2024 European elections at just 28. A former national chair of Radikal Ungdom, she has quickly built a profile around climate, biodiversity, equality and fundamental freedoms.

In the European Parliament, she works on industry, research, energy and environmental policy, with a particular focus on building a greener Europe grounded in science and evidence.

Sigrid is also a strong advocate for women’s rights and reproductive freedom, as well as LGBTQ+ equality, bringing these issues into the European political debate. A mother herself, she combines her political work with a distinctly personal perspective and, away from politics, is a huge Taylor Swift fan.

ABOUT ME:

Ilinca Ghiza has shown how local initiatives can create meaningful social impact. Through her successful project in Brașov, she helped provide free menstrual products in schools for vulnerable girls, tackling period poverty and promoting equal access to education. 

By turning an overlooked issue into a concrete public policy solution, she has inspired young people to engage in community action and demonstrated that liberal values can deliver real change. Her leadership, determination, and commitment to social inclusion make her a young liberal to watch.

ABOUT ME:

Matej Grah is a Slovenian political strategist and Member of Parliament who has built a rapid career across diplomacy, government and party politics. He studied political science in Ljubljana and Madrid, with his master’s research focusing on Europe’s democratic crisis and the rise of populism. 

His political career began in local government in Murska Sobota and took an unusual turn when he worked at the Slovenian Embassy in Vienna, initially as a driver while also producing analytical reports and digital content. He later worked in Parliament and the Prime Minister’s office before becoming President of Gibanje Svoboda Mladi. In 2025, at 31, he became the party’s youngest General Secretary. In 2026, he entered Parliament for the first time.

ABOUT ME:

A young Italian liberal active in +Europa and Radicali Italiani, he combines local political organising with an international focus on human rights. As Provincial Coordinator of +Europa in Monza and Brianza, he leads the “Lombardia si Muove” campaign for better regional rail and public transport, bringing commuters’ concerns into the political debate and advocating concrete reforms. 

His political engagement also extends beyond Italy, where he has organised initiatives supporting Ukraine and the Iranian pro-democracy movement and raised awareness of human rights issues affecting Tibet and other communities in China. Active in the liberal movement since 17, he has built experience across local, national and international politics, combining practical campaigning at home with a strong commitment to international freedom and human rights.

ABOUT ME:

Matteo Hallissey is an Italian liberal politician who became the youngest president of a political party in Italy before he was even old enough to stand for election to the Chamber of Deputies. His political engagement began at 17, when he campaigned for a legal framework for assisted dying, focusing on individual autonomy and civil liberties. 

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Matteo founded a youth organisation that mobilised young people through demonstrations and fundraising for Ukraine, helping organise some of Italy’s largest pro-Ukraine rallies since the invasion. He later joined the leadership of +Europa and Radicali Italiani, becoming President of both. Even before adulthood, he also served on the board of Liberi, Oltre le illusioni, promoting public debate on economics, education and innovation.

ABOUT ME:

Alex Häner has consistently created visibility for queer issues in spaces where doing so takes courage. During his time in the army, he created videos on LGBTQ+ issues that gained significant attention, with some reaching more than 30,000 views despite criticism and hate. 

As a School Council member, he helped introduce gender-neutral toilets after the school refused to provide menstrual products in men’s bathrooms, ensuring access to free hygiene products for students of all genders. 

He later joined the campaign team of Tobias Vögeli, producing social media content that reached around 900,000 accounts organically and 1.5 million through paid promotion. Now Vice President of the Young Green Liberals, he is helping modernise the organisation and strengthen its public visibility through communications, partnerships and political advocacy.

ABOUT ME:

Alicja Jakimko is a Polish political leader and President of Młodzi Nowocześni. Following the merger of her party’s mother organisation into Donald Tusk’s Civic Coalition, she has helped keep the youth movement active and internationally engaged, maintaining its role within LYMEC while working towards a renewed presence in IFLRY. 

Alicja also works at Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bringing experience from both government and youth politics. Her leadership has focused on keeping liberal youth organising active during a period of significant political change, while strengthening international cooperation and maintaining a voice for young Polish liberals in Europe. 

Her combination of government experience, youth leadership and international engagement places her at an important intersection of Polish and European liberal politics.

ABOUT ME:

Joy Kamel is a young liberal leader focused on making international politics more accessible to the next generation. As International Officer of Jeunes MR, she has created opportunities for young people to engage directly with diplomats, policymakers, military officials and civil society representatives. 

At a time when defence, security and international cooperation are increasingly important to Europe, Joy has worked to bring young people into these conversations. She has organised visits to embassies and international institutions, facilitated exchanges between young liberals across countries and communities and encouraged engagement with European and transatlantic partners. 

Through her policy work and international representation within LYMEC and the ALDE Party, Joy is helping bridge the gap between international affairs and everyday citizens while building a more informed and connected generation of young Europeans.

ABOUT ME:

Arthur Kharytonov is a Ukrainian liberal political analyst and President of the Liberal Democratic League of Ukraine, leading a youth organisation through wartime. He has become a distinctive voice on questions that extend beyond Ukraine’s immediate survival, including the risks of excessive Chinese economic influence and the long-term security of Ukraine’s democracy and independence. 

Arthur also focuses on the future of young Ukrainians returning from the front, advocating pathways into education, employment and political participation. His international work connects Ukraine with democratic movements in places including Taiwan and Hong Kong, drawing on Ukraine’s wartime experience to build cooperation between societies facing authoritarian pressure.

ABOUT ME:

Emma has grown from Estonian Reform Party, Local Youth Organisations, and LYMEC to a highly educated professional in the field of policy and politics. She is active and shares her liberal values through dedicated work. 

She managed to graduate University (thesis in Energy Market policy) with Excellence while working in a highly demanding political environment. At the same time, she also got elected as Council Member in her birth city Viljandi, where she continues to serve. 

With all this at hand she manages to share her knowledge and experiences and keep developing her skills and resilience in a running club and writing poetry. I think she has a massive future ahead. Look out for Emma, liberalism needs her.

ABOUT ME:

Konstantin Kudra is a young liberal political leader from Austria who has taken on significant leadership roles within both NEOS and JUNOS in Vorarlberg. As State Chair of JUNOS Vorarlberg and a member of the extended executive board of NEOS Vorarlberg, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to liberal politics from an early age. 

Konstantin is particularly known for his clear commitment to individual freedom, personal responsibility, equal opportunity and the rule of law. He is willing to engage in difficult public debates and defend these principles even when it is politically uncomfortable. 

Combining political conviction with a pragmatic approach, Konstantin represents a generation of young leaders ready to take responsibility and turn ideas into meaningful political action.

ABOUT ME:

Hanah Lahe is an Estonian liberal politician who became the youngest member of the Estonian Parliament at just 23. A member of the Estonian Reform Party, she has turned her background in climate activism into political action, focusing on environmental policy, the circular economy and youth participation. 

In Parliament, Hanah founded the Circular Economy Support Group and has pushed for reforms on waste management and resource efficiency, bringing environmental issues directly into the legislative process. She also serves as a European Climate Pact Ambassador, working to engage citizens and young people in climate policy and democratic participation. 

Her ability to connect grassroots activism with parliamentary politics has made climate action a defining part of her political work.

ABOUT ME:

Nevenka Lastrić-Đurić is a Croatian liberal politician and State Secretary at the Ministry of the Interior. A member of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), she combines a background in international law with experience in diplomacy, public policy and security. 

Before joining the Croatian government, she worked as a policy adviser at the US State Department, focusing on Central and Eastern Europe, cross-border criminality and institutional cooperation. She has also worked on issues including cybercrime and digital evidence. 

A strong advocate for liberal values and minority rights, Nevenka has publicly championed LGBTQI+ equality, including within her own party. At 33, she was Croatia’s youngest state secretary.

ABOUT ME:

Charlie van der Ligt is a Dutch political communications specialist and social media chief for D66, where she has played a central role in shaping party leader Rob Jetten’s online presence. Her approach centres on making political communication more personal, direct and engaging, helping politicians connect with audiences who increasingly encounter politics through social media. 

Working behind the scenes of one of the Netherlands’ most prominent liberal political campaigns, Charlie has helped develop a digital style that puts personality and authenticity at the centre of political communication. At just 29, she has already established herself as a prominent voice in the use of social media to engage younger generations and bring liberal politics into the digital spaces where they spend their time.

ABOUT ME:

At 20, Christos is a Junior Researcher at KEFIM, Greece's leading liberal think tank and has done work that has already led to KEFIM being invited to testify before the Hellenic Parliament. He has published in Econ Journal Watch, the Future of Europe Journal and EPICENTER Briefings. He has brought liberal arguments into Greek public debate through appearances at SKAI Radio, BlueSky TV, RealFM, Parapolitika, and Athens Voice, at a moment when the country needs voices that speak in both economic and moral terms.  

He has done research on topics of Greek and European public policy like pension reform, unemployment and the minimum wage, the housing crisis among many others. He is competent both of deep technical understanding of politics and economics but also possesses the ability of communicating these insights to the public. In the future, he wants to have a career in the liberal movement advocating for policies that foster human flourishing and expand individual freedom.

ABOUT ME:

Anastasia Milthers is a 24-year-old Danish politician and newly elected Member of Parliament for Radikale Venstre. She was elected the first time she ran for Parliament, winning a seat in Funen, a constituency where her party had not traditionally held a mandate. 

Before entering Parliament, Anastasia spent seven years active in Radikal Ungdom, serving as its national chair from 2024 until her election. She studied political science at the University of Copenhagen and has since taken on parliamentary responsibilities covering climate, energy, social affairs and development cooperation. 

Her rapid rise from youth politics to national parliament makes her part of a new generation of Danish liberal voices.

ABOUT ME:

Simona Mohamsson is a Swedish liberal politician and Minister for Education and Integration, as well as leader of Liberalerna. Born in 1994, she entered politics through the Liberal Youth of Sweden and became its Deputy Chair in 2018. Her early career included several years as a political adviser in Gothenburg before she worked at the Swedish Embassy in Amman. 

Simona became Liberalerna Secretary in 2025 before taking over as party leader and entering government as Minister for Education and Integration. Her portfolio includes education, integration and tackling social exclusion. With experience spanning youth politics, local government, diplomacy and national leadership, she has quickly built a prominent role in Swedish liberal politics.

ABOUT ME:

Gerard champions liberalism through his everyday actions: participation, pluralism and a willingness to engage across traditional divides. From environmental activism and college politics to serving as President of Ógra Fianna Fáil, he has consistently encouraged and recruited young people to participate in the democratic system. 

He has championed greater political interaction across Ireland, North and South, bringing young people of differing traditions together to listen, debate and find common ground. Internationally, Gerard has participated in assemblies with fellow youth organisations, deepening his understanding of the challenges facing liberal values across Europe and advocating for democracy, openness and cooperation in response.

ABOUT ME:

Alexia Petrovai is a 25-year-old Romanian liberal politician and medical student who leads USR’s youth organisation. Balancing medical training with political leadership, she has developed a reputation for discipline, resilience and taking responsibility in demanding environments. 

In her political work, Alexia advocates for a generation that is often discussed but too rarely given a meaningful voice. She is unafraid to speak up in rooms dominated by older generations and to defend young people’s interests with clarity and conviction. Her background in medicine has taught her to work under pressure, make difficult decisions and stay focused on outcomes - qualities she brings into her political leadership. 

Combining ambition with a strong sense of responsibility, Alexia represents a rising generation of Romanian liberal leaders.

ABOUT ME:

Romina Pourmokhtari is a Swedish liberal politician and Minister for Climate and the Environment who became Sweden’s youngest-ever government minister at just 26. The daughter of Iranian refugees, she grew up in Sundbyberg and entered politics through the Liberal Youth Organisation, which she led from 2019 to 2022 before entering government. She has also served on the board of Sweden’s leading sexual education organisation, RFSU. 

Romina has built a distinctive public profile around climate, freedom and generational issues, combining political activism with an unusually personal style. At 26, she published her own book, Chicken Nuggets på krita, and she is a passionate AIK football supporter. After taking parental leave earlier in 2026, she returned as climate and environment minister in June.

ABOUT ME:

Milena Radatz is a German political photographer and communications professional using visual storytelling to bring politics closer to the public. Her photography has featured members of the German Bundestag, political organisations and publications, capturing political life with a focus on authenticity and the people behind public institutions. 

Rather than working as a traditional political communicator, Milena uses photography to show a more immediate and human side of politics, particularly for younger audiences who increasingly experience public affairs through visual media. She has also been recognised as an emerging political communicator through her participation in the Young Political Communicators Club mentoring programme. 

By combining political photography with modern digital storytelling, Milena is exploring how visual communication can make democratic politics more relatable and engaging.

ABOUT ME:

Joshua Reynolds is a British Liberal Democrat MP for Maidenhead and the party’s Spokesperson for Investment and Trade. Elected in 2024, he has quickly built a profile around open markets, international cooperation and responsible trade. He sits on the Business, Innovation and Science Committee and has used Parliament to scrutinise issues including labour standards and human rights in global supply chains. 

His questioning of major retailers including Shein brought particular attention to the conditions behind fast fashion and corporate accountability. He has also launched a campaign to identify 100 pieces of unnecessary red tape affecting British businesses, while advocating stronger economic ties with Europe. His work combines a pro-trade outlook with a focus on transparency, workers’ rights and accountability.

ABOUT ME:

Fabio Signoretta is a young and inspiring mayor from the Municipality of Ionadi, in one of Italy’s most challenging regions. Despite his age, he has shown remarkable leadership, combining local governance with a strong commitment to national democratic reform. 

He has successfully promoted high-profile campaigns encouraging youth participation in politics, particularly advocating for extending voting rights to 16-year-olds. Beyond his role as mayor, he serves as a national leader within Più Europa and Radicali Italiani, consistently championing liberal values, civic engagement, and human rights. His vision, courage, and dedication make him an outstanding candidate for this ALDE-related award.

ABOUT ME:

Denitsa Simeonova is a Bulgarian engineer, entrepreneur and mentor who has been elected to parliament five times by the age of 34. She was part of the founding team of the political party We Continue the Change and served as Head of the Political Cabinet of the Minister of Finance in the first caretaker government in 2021. 

Before entering politics, she was Delivery Manager of the Leaders in Innovation Fellowships programme at the Royal Academy of Engineering. From 2017 to 2019, she also served as Executive Director of the Association of Bulgarian Leaders and Entrepreneurs. Together with her sister, she co-founded a digital platform focused on reducing food waste.

ABOUT ME:

Young and eloquent local leader, that built trust among our voters and praise among non-voters. He is very active on social media (Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook and X), building trust with citizens, helping them solve problems that the government won't help with. Many people see him as the next mayor of Belgrade. He is also the President of Belgrade board of Movement of free citizens. 

He is recognised among opposition politicians in Serbia as young and new force that could change the way we see politics in our country. He has a wide understanding of local politics and ways of helping people and caring for their local issues and needs. He stated several times publicly that his goal is to become mayor of Belgrade and that with his activities he is proving citizens that he is capable to hold this role.

ABOUT ME:

Maria Georgi Sloth is a Danish politician and Member of Parliament for Radikale Venstre, where she serves as spokesperson on justice, employment, equality, youth education and church affairs. She previously served as National Chair of Radikal Ungdom from 2022 to 2024 and remains active in European liberal politics through ALDE delegations and networks. 

A student of pedagogy at the University of Copenhagen, Maria has made education and equal opportunities central to her political work. Having grown up on a free school without grades or exams, she brings personal experience to her advocacy for an education system focused on curiosity, wellbeing and opportunity rather than performance alone. She also works on equality, climate and human rights.

ABOUT ME:

Natália Kincső Szilas is a 24-year-old Hungarian liberal politician and President of Momentum. Her political journey began in student representation, where she rose through youth councils before organising large student-teacher protests after becoming disillusioned with official government forums. 

She later joined Momentum and, in the 2024 municipal elections, won a local council seat in a district considered a stronghold of the ruling party. She went on to chair her district’s Cultural, Educational, Sport and Youth Committee and lead Momentum’s Women’s Advocacy Group, working on women’s participation, work-life balance and the protection of vulnerable groups. In June 2026, she was elected Momentum’s president, becoming one of Hungary’s youngest national party leaders.

ABOUT ME:

Lucija Tacer Perlin is a Slovenian liberal politician and Member of the National Assembly for Gibanje Svoboda. A lawyer by training, she entered politics through youth and international engagement, serving as Slovenia’s Youth Delegate to the United Nations from 2020 to 2021. She has since built experience across parliamentary politics and youth leadership, including as President of the Honorary Tribunal of Gibanje Svoboda Mladi. 

In Parliament, Lucija works on issues including justice, human rights, social affairs and European affairs. She also serves as a Special Representative on Youth Engagement within Slovenia’s delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, giving her a role in bringing young people’s perspectives into international parliamentary work.

ABOUT ME:

Elise has been working in EU public affairs in Brussels since 2019. In 2022, she founded Tingvoll, aspiring to make her experience and industry know-how more accessible to a Norwegian audience. Today she is leading a team of four professionals on a mission to facilitate stakeholder participation to EU policy-making processes.  

Elise has worked with a wide range of companies and trade associations in the energy and industrial sectors (including oil and gas upstream and midstream, hydrogen, CCS, renewables, raw materials, and semiconductors), circular economy, defence and more. She is an experienced speaker, moderator and panellist and an inspiring young leader and changemaker.

ABOUT ME:

Réka Tolnai is a Swedish-Hungarian liberal politician and Centerpartiet candidate who moved from Hungary to Sweden at the age of 10. Her own experience of migration has shaped her focus on integration and the treatment of young people facing deportation despite having grown up in Sweden. 

She has become a prominent voice in the campaign against the deportation of teenagers who have spent most of their lives in Sweden, helping organise large demonstrations and bringing together young people, civil society and politicians. She continues to use her platform to challenge what she sees as unjust deportations and advocate for those affected. Alongside her activism, Réka has built a distinctive social media presence on TikTok and Instagram ahead of Sweden’s 2026 parliamentary election.

ABOUT ME:

Lukas Kornelijus Vaičiakas is a Lithuanian liberal political organiser and Secretary General of the Liberal Movement. He previously became the youngest Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament in the country’s modern history and, as President of the Lithuanian Youth Council, successfully advocated for doubling state funding for youth policy. 

Since joining the Liberal Movement, Lukas has modernised its internal organisation and transformed its public fundraising strategy. Within two years, the party rose to second place nationally in funds raised through Lithuania’s income tax designation scheme, with his latest campaign attracting more than 2,300 new supporters and increasing public support by over 45%.  

Alongside politics, Lukas trains youth organisations in leadership and civic participation and teaches law and politics to students.

ABOUT ME:

Victoria Vandeberg is a has built an impressive political career from a remarkably young age. First elected to the municipal and provincial councils at 21, she became an alderwoman of Jalhay in 2020 before being elected mayor at 27, making her one of Belgium’s youngest mayors. She currently serves as a member of the Belgian federal parliament. 

Her political engagement began through liberal youth organisations, including Jeunes MR, where she went on to serve as President of the organisation in Liège Province. Her experience in local government has included responsibility for areas including tourism, youth, culture, heritage and the environment, giving her a strong connection to the community she represents. 

With experience spanning youth politics, local government and national politics, Victoria represents a new generation of liberal leaders who have taken on responsibility early and are bringing that perspective to higher levels of public life.

ABOUT ME:

Milla Veteläinen is a 24-year-old Finnish political leader and Chair of Keskustanuoret, the youth organisation of the Centre Party. Her political journey began in student politics and youth participation before she entered local government at just 18. At 19, she became the youngest municipal council chair in Finland’s history, leading the council of Suomussalmi in northern Finland. 

A social sciences graduate and passionate advocate for future generations, Milla focuses on education, youth participation, nature and regional equality. She has also served at regional and municipal level and was a candidate in Finland’s 2023 parliamentary election. Her politics are shaped by her roots in northern Finland and a strong belief that young people should have a meaningful role in shaping the society they will inherit.

ABOUT ME:

Laura de Vries is a Dutch political strategist working at the intersection of climate, nature and inclusive politics. As Head of Public Affairs at LandschappenNL, she works to turn complex challenges around nature, climate and spatial development into concrete political action. Alongside her professional role, she chairs the D66 Diversity Network, working to broaden participation and leadership within the liberal movement. 

Laura is also a European Climate Pact Ambassador and Climate Mayor, bringing a European perspective to climate engagement and local action. Through initiatives including Alliance of Her, she has supported greater opportunities for women in public life. Her work stands out for combining environmental advocacy with a strong focus on political participation, representation and coalition-building.

ABOUT ME:

Hilde Wendel is one of the most promising young liberal politicians in the Netherlands. After serving as President of JOVD (2020-2021) she was elected to the Dutch House of Representatives for the VVD in 2025. As one of the youngest members of the VVD parliamentary group, she was entrusted with one of the most challenging portfolios: healthcare. 

At a time when the Dutch government faces difficult choices, she works on keeping the healthcare system sustainable for future generations. That means making tough decisions, cutting costs where possible while protecting the quality of care, leaving room for entrepreneurship, and keeping taxes low. Hilde represents a new generation of liberals that is willing to take responsibility for the difficult decisions needed to secure a liberal and democratic future.

ABOUT ME:

Emma Wiesner is a Swedish liberal politician, energy engineer and Member of the European Parliament for Centerpartiet. Her political engagement began at just 13 after watching Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, and as a teenager she famously took part in an ice-bath protest to highlight climate change. Before entering the European Parliament, she worked in the energy sector, including at Northvolt, bringing technical expertise to her political work. 

A proud bisexual woman, Emma is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has used her public platform to challenge prejudice and promote greater visibility. Her work in the European Parliament focuses heavily on climate, energy and sustainable industry. In 2025, she joined the EU’s official COP30 negotiating delegation as its only Swedish MEP.

ABOUT ME:

Monika Zajkova is a North Macedonian liberal politician and President of the Liberal Democratic Party, as well as a Member of Parliament. Elected to Parliament in 2020, she has built a profile around practical reforms and a strong focus on equality and individual rights. 

Her parliamentary work has included initiatives on subsidised student meals, bank fees and economic reforms, while she has also been outspoken on LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality. Monika serves on Parliament’s Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men and is active in European integration and international parliamentary cooperation. She also serves as Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, giving her a growing role in regional and European political affairs.

ABOUT ME:

Nadin Zaya is a German liberal politician whose personal story shapes her focus on opportunity, education and social mobility. She came to Germany from Iraq as a child and grew up experiencing the challenges of starting over. At 27, after several years in the Junge Liberale and four years as its chair in Lower Saxony, she was elected to the FDP Presidium on her first attempt, defeating two competitors. 

A trained lawyer, Zaya has made the liberal “promise of advancement” a defining theme of her politics. She argues that young people need fewer barriers to building independent lives, pointing particularly to the growing difficulty of affording a home despite working and saving. She also speaks strongly on education, civil liberties and generational opportunity.

ABOUT ME:

Sara Žibrat was elected as the Member of Parliament for the district of Ljutomer in eastern Slovenia earlier this year. She is a member of the committees on Culture, and on Labour, Family, Social Affairs and People with Disabilities and an advocate of green and youth policies. 

Before her parliamentary career, she sought to invoke policy change through environmental activism. As an MP, Žibrat’s areas of focus include widely promoting eco-friendly practices and improving the Slovenian public transport network and its use. She's a gifted leader and inspiring young female politician.