Strack-Zimmermann, liberal lead candidate, shares her take on von der Leyen, Orbán and the far right

Recognized in her native Germany for her outspoken, no-nonsense type, Strack-Zimmermann needs to modify the Bundestag in Berlin, the place she presides over the defence committee, for the European Parliament in Strasbourg. 

By operating for a seat, the 66-year-old hopes to broaden her political clout and affect the talk on high-priority matters, resembling help for Ukraine, the way forward for the defence trade, and financial competitiveness.

All of this options closely within the 10-point manifesto agreed final week by the European liberals forward of the June elections, the place they hope to retain their place because the Parliament’s third-largest group.

However the tectonic plates are in movement: an unique Euronews ballot predicts a major increase for hard-right and far-right events, which threatens to polarise the dialog and make it more durable to go bold laws.

Will probably be as much as Strack-Zimmermann, collectively together with her fellow lead candidates, Sandro Gozi and Valérie Hayer, to navigate the troubled waters and guarantee their political household, Renew Europe, continues to play their cherished position of king-maker.

Earlier than going into full marketing campaign mode, Euronews joined Strack-Zimmermann on a bus journey to be taught extra about her platform and her frank opinions on Ursula von der Leyen, Viktor Orbán and the normalisation of the far proper.

Watch the video above to search out out what she thinks.