Strack-Zimmermann: Far-right would use election success to undermine EU

In conversation with Euronews' Brussels correspondent Shona Murray, Strack-Zimmermann outlined her thoughts on Europe's response to the war in Ukraine, Ursula von der Leyen record as head of the Commission and the future of Europe's green transition.

The German politician describes herself as a committed European. Faced with the rise of the far right in Europe, she believes it is more important than ever to defend liberal values.

"In these really tough times, it's not easy for people to look for a party that gives citizens the chance to decide for themselves," she argues. "Many people in Germany are looking for a very tough leader. For liberal thinking, and especially in hard times, you need free-thinking and to be responsible for your life."

Polls currently place the Renew Europe party in third position in voting intentions and predict record results for far-right parties, such as the AfD in Germany.

"You have to explain to people that it's not just voting for AfD. It's not just for fun. It's really a terrible moment because we know that AFD will come and will be a part of the European Parliament to cut everything. And the head of the AfD said in an interview in the Financial Times that, if she would be part of the European Parliament, she would support Germany leaving the European Union. I mean, she said it and I think it's very important that she did so; everybody realised that AfD is a national party, not a European party. And two weeks ago, we had a discussion in Germany about the D-mark (Deutsche mark) because they are looking for that again. Can you imagine?

For the Renew Europe candidate, the EU needs to lighten the burden of bureaucracy on  business and innovation if the Union's climate goals are to be achieved. 

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