A generation of young Europeans who began their activism while still in school is now stepping up to take on political roles. From protesting alongside Greta Thunberg at Fridays for Future demonstrations, they are now candidates in the upcoming European Parliament elections, aiming to influence climate policies at a critical time for the EU.
Rising Stars in European Politics
These young eco-activists have launched campaigns across Europe to advance climate protection policies amidst resistance from right-leaning parties. If successful, they will join the 720 European lawmakers who, together with EU governments, are responsible for passing new laws. The elections from June 6-9 come at a pivotal moment as the EU strives to meet its 2030 energy and climate targets.
Petr Doubravsky: Czech Republic’s Green Hope
Petr Doubravsky, a 22-year-old economics and environment student at Brno University, is running for Czechia’s Zeleni (Green) party. Doubravsky co-founded the Czech branch of the Fridays for Future movement in 2018, inspired by Greta Thunberg's call for climate action. His campaign emphasizes the need for young voices in Czech politics, aiming to inspire the next generation of climate activists.
"In 2019, we heard that we should calm down, that we should stay in school, that we should wait until we are adults. And that time has now come," he writes on his campaign website.
Lena Schilling: Austria’s Green Party Contender
At 23, Lena Schilling is a key candidate for Austria’s Green Party. A student of political sciences at the University of Vienna, Schilling has been deeply involved in climate activism through the Fridays for Future movement. In 2022, she published "Radikale Wende," a book exploring the historical significance of protests. Schilling’s campaign manifesto calls for a climate-friendly, democratic Europe where gender equality and anti-poverty measures are prioritized.
"I stand for a climate-friendly, democratic Europe. For a European Union in which women and men earn the same amount, in which we actively oppose poverty. A Europe in which hatred and right-wing agitation have no place."
Sybille Douvillez: France’s Young Socialist Voice
Sybille Douvillez, a 19-year-old economics student at Sciences Po University in Paris, is running as a candidate for the Place Publique party. She began her activism at 14, participating in climate strikes and protests. Douvillez helped refound the socialist-affiliated Place Publique party, driven by a desire to rejuvenate democracy and influence policy from within the political system.
"After pounding the pavements, going on strike, signing petitions and plastering our streets with feminist messages, I realised that our democracy was in crisis. We had to get back into politics," she says in a video on her social media.
A New Generation of Leaders
These young candidates represent a new wave of political engagement, driven by a deep-seated commitment to climate action and social justice. Their transition from street protests to political candidacy highlights the growing influence of youth activism in shaping Europe’s future.
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Source: Euronews
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