We’re quite a diverse bunch of people. We’re young and old, politically active for ages or for the very first time. We work in a wide variety of areas: education, services, health, art, culture, media, politics, manufacturing, civil service, technology, entrepreneurship, business and science. We’re Europeans.
We came together to make a difference. To spread hope. To fight against injustice, regression, historical amnesia and climate ignorance.
DEMOKRATIE IN EUROPA was launched by the Democracy in Europe Movement (DiEM25) – the European movement that wants to solve Europe’s crises democratically, transparently and across borders.
Our goal: To build up a national party as electoral wing and part of the transnational movement DiEM25.
Our board team
Maike Wilhelm, 24, studies politics and economics in Göttingen and has been with DiEM25 since 2018. In addition to her studies, she is active in development cooperation through GIZ and Verein der Freunde Togos. Her main focus on the board is party and election campaign strategy, as well as networking and public relations. (Photo front middle left)
Lea Stauß, 25, has a bachelor’s degree in interior design, studies ecosystem management in Göttingen and has been a member of DiEM25 since 2018. She is active in the campaign team of the Green New Deal for Europe (GNDE) and develops alliance strategies with various political actors. The main focus on the board is strategy and public relations, as well as building local groups and networks with a focus on the GNDE. (Photo front middle right)
Johannes Fehr, 32, was born in Hesse, joined DiEM25 in 2016 and started as a member of the local group in Berlin. There he was coordinator before he took over the volunteer coordination for DiEM25 as a whole in 2019. For the European election campaign of DEMOKRATIE IN EUROPA he coordinated the local volunteer groups. He has a Master’s degree in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency and worked for five years in policy consulting. The focus of his board work is the organisational development of the party and coordination of members. (Photo back middle)
Judith Meyer, 35, is a computer linguist by profession. She is one of the founding members of DiEM25 and is now coordinator for the entire IT. It is important to her that there is a force in Germany that is clearly pro-European but demands a different Europe, namely one that is cosmopolitan, ecologically responsible and shows solidarity with the weak. (Photo in front right)
Julijana Zita, 31, is a self-employed gastronomy consultant, mother of three, and has been active with DiEM25 for two years. She is on the board for the fourth time since the foundation of DEMOKRATIE IN EUROPA as a motivated non-EU citizen. The organisation and coordination of larger events and pragmatic work are her main focuses. The foundation of the party is also focus of her work. (Photo in front left)
Korbinian Nida-Rümelin, 24, has been a member of DiEM25 since September 2017 and is also part of the federal collective of DiEM25 in Germany. He holds a Bachelor of Philosophy, is studying International Relations (University of London/LSE) and has recently moved to Berlin. Particularly important for him in this transitional board: working to ensure that the party formation does not harm the movement aspect but rather promotes it, seeking opportunities for cooperation with other actors and strengthening internal democracy. (Photo back left)
Thomas Kellermann, 66, is a physician for internal medicine and has been a member of DiEM25 since the founding event in 2016. As a founding member of the Berlin DSC, his motto is “act locally, think globally”. Thus the GNDE is a basis for the demands of a municipal housing policy. His dream still exists: the European Republic. (photo back right)
Why are we doing this?
We want a common Europe. We want a future for all.
Across Europe, right-wing populists are spreading hate speech. And boy, is it easy. Because fear is contagious. And gosh, are people receptive when the economy is struggling.
Meanwhile, the established political actors apply the same ineffective prescriptions over and over. Constantly renewed austerity policies have become a helpless ritual. Instead of the climate, the banks are being rescued. Instead of the common good, tax havens are being protected. Everyone sees this and nobody is happy with it. It seems as if there are no other possibilities.
We think we can do way better. We have a whole bunch of ideas. Because new times need new solutions. Our programme is a radically optimistic vision for the future.
We have concrete proposals for a united, sustainable and democratic Europe in solidarity – for an open, social and diverse society. A Europe in which the rights of every single person are protected, regardless of their origin, religious or sexual orientation. We fight for a society where the common good is more important than maximizing profits for a few. Where banks and corporations become useful members of our society and abide by democratically agreed rules. Where technology and innovation improve all of our lives. For a future where the climate and nature are sustainably protected.
We want a Europe in which our children and grandchildren can live healthy and free. A Europe that gives hope for a better future, for everyone.
Honestly – if not now, when?
We stand up for solidarity instead of exploitation and racism. For a visionary green investment programme instead of further pollution. For a sustainable financial and monetary policy. So we can finally stop just fighting symptoms of a persisting financial crisis.
So now you know what we do and why we’re doing it. And guess what: Now, we need you. Join us and become part of the new hope for Europe.
Maike Wilhelm, 24, studies politics and economics in Göttingen and has been with DiEM25 since 2018. In addition to her studies, she is active in development cooperation through GIZ and Verein der Freunde Togos. Her main focus on the board is party and election campaign strategy, as well as networking and public relations. (Photo front middle left)
Lea Stauß, 25, has a bachelor’s degree in interior design, studies ecosystem management in Göttingen and has been a member of DiEM25 since 2018. She is active in the campaign team of the Green New Deal for Europe (GNDE) and develops alliance strategies with various political actors. The main focus on the board is strategy and public relations, as well as building local groups and networks with a focus on the GNDE. (Photo front middle right)
Johannes Fehr, 32, was born in Hesse, joined DiEM25 in 2016 and started as a member of the local group in Berlin. There he was coordinator before he took over the volunteer coordination for DiEM25 as a whole in 2019. For the European election campaign of DEMOKRATIE IN EUROPA he coordinated the local volunteer groups. He has a Master’s degree in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency and worked for five years in policy consulting. The focus of his board work is the organisational development of the party and coordination of members. (Photo back middle)
Judith Meyer, 35, is a computer linguist by profession. She is one of the founding members of DiEM25 and is now coordinator for the entire IT. It is important to her that there is a force in Germany that is clearly pro-European but demands a different Europe, namely one that is cosmopolitan, ecologically responsible and shows solidarity with the weak. (Photo in front right)
Julijana Zita, 31, is a self-employed gastronomy consultant, mother of three, and has been active with DiEM25 for two years. She is on the board for the fourth time since the foundation of DEMOKRATIE IN EUROPA as a motivated non-EU citizen. The organisation and coordination of larger events and pragmatic work are her main focuses. The foundation of the party is also focus of her work. (Photo in front left)
Korbinian Nida-Rümelin, 24, has been a member of DiEM25 since September 2017 and is also part of the federal collective of DiEM25 in Germany. He holds a Bachelor of Philosophy, is studying International Relations (University of London/LSE) and has recently moved to Berlin. Particularly important for him in this transitional board: working to ensure that the party formation does not harm the movement aspect but rather promotes it, seeking opportunities for cooperation with other actors and strengthening internal democracy. (Photo back left)
Thomas Kellermann, 66, is a physician for internal medicine and has been a member of DiEM25 since the founding event in 2016. As a founding member of the Berlin DSC, his motto is “act locally, think globally”. Thus the GNDE is a basis for the demands of a municipal housing policy. His dream still exists: the European Republic. (photo back right)
Teilen