Sophie in 't Veld
“Volt Tervuren stands for a democracy that embraces everyone, that builds bridges across borders, and that allows the voice of every citizen in Tervuren to resonate. That is why setting up a local branch of Volt in Tervuren is essential. It brings our European vision closer to citizens and makes concrete local action possible.”
Member of the European Parliament & Lead Candidate Volt Belgium
Member of the European Parliament & Lead Candidate Volt Belgium
Sophie in 't Veld (1963) is a member of the European Parliament and part of the Renew Europe group, the third largest group in Parliament. For the upcoming European elections in 2024, she is the list leader for Volt Belgium.
The fight for democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law guides in 't Veld's political work. She advocates in the European Parliament for the freedom, rights and opportunities of all Europeans, regardless of where they were born and regardless of their identity. This drive translates into an unwavering commitment to the independence of the judiciary in EU countries, respect for LGBT rights, the protection of journalists, standing up for women's sexual and reproductive health, and safeguarding privacy in an age of tech giants and nosy governments. On In 't Veld's initiative, privacy violations are regularly challenged. Both in the European Parliament, and at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.
Copyright details portrait photo. Event date: 23/10/2023. Reference: EP-158903A. Photographer: Philippe Buissin. Copyright: © European Union 2023 - Source : EP. |
Europese Democratie
Sophie in ’t Veld wants the EU to become a true parliamentary democracy. In a truly democratic EU, an assertive European Parliament serves as a counterforce to the currently expanding power of government leaders. The balance of power in Europe has been lost and that poses a threat to European democracy; both at the European level and at the national level. The European Council, in which the heads of government sit, must be subject to democratic control. This is completely lacking in the current design of the EU. In 2023, she wrote the pamphlet Naakte Macht (pdf-download) (Naked Power) about the growing gap between European powers and European democracy. In this year she also joined Volt, because in her view D66 is no longer the party that pursues radical democratic renewal in Europe.
Parliamentary Werk
In 't Veld is a member of the parliamentary committees LIBE (Civil Liberties, Justice, Home Affairs), AFCO (Constitutional Affairs) and CONT (Budgetary Control). In the LIBE committee, as coordinator, she is responsible for coordinating the Renew Europe group's speeches and votes. She also chairs the EP Monitoring Group, which monitors compliance with democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights in EU countries. Within that framework, she organizes monthly hearings with national governments and the European Commission and regularly undertakes missions to member states where European values are under pressure. In 't Veld sits on the board of the Steering Committee on Sexual and Reproductive Health and is a member of the Steering Committee on LGBT rights. In 2022, In 't Veld was appointed rapporteur of the committee of inquiry into spying software PEGA (Pegasus), her inquiry report was approved by the plenary of the European Parliament in July 2023.
Biography
In 't Veld was born in the province of Overijssel and grew up in Paramaribo, The Hague and Delft. After studying history, she worked as a freelance translator, among other things. She speaks Dutch, English, French, German, Italian and Greek. Her European political career began as an assistant to D66 MEP Johanna Boogerd-Quaak. In 2004, In 't Veld herself was elected to D66. In 2014, D66 achieved the most votes of all participating parties for the first time in a national election with her list leadership.
Publications
2017: Een Europees ID (A European ID) NL
An insight into the political arena where the European community of values is taking shape
2021: The Scent of Wild Animals (2021) NL
A plea for a strengthened European parliamentary democracy
2023: Naked Power / Naked Power (English edition available)
A pamphlet diagnosing and remedying a democratic balance of power out of kilter in the EU
Newsletter: Follow Sophie in 't Veld's newsletter here in NL Volg de nieuwsbrief van Sophie in ’t Veld hier.
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