#european in mind
Konrad Adenauer summed it up in 1951: “The Schuman Treaty marks the beginning of a new era. For the first time in history, six European nations have joined together to form a supranational community. Europe, until now only a geographical concept, will henceforth become a political factor, backed by a political will and a political force.”
Europe is an important part of my identity: I see myself as a citizen of Lower Saxony, as a German national and as a European! Europe is more than a confederation of states that has agreed on values such as equality, freedom and security. Europe is also a philosophy and a way of life!
I am very fortunate to belong to a generation that has enjoyed the benefits of European integration. From peace and stability, from prosperity and freedom of movement – and from a personal opportunity to live, work and study with our European neighbours!
At the same time, I am wholeheartedly dedicated to making sure this open, prosperous and free world as we know and love it is preserved – for us, for our children and for our children’s children. That’s why I became a Member of European Parliament.
Fundamentals of the EU
Driven by the painful lessons of the first two world wars and their countless victims from across Europe, the European Union today is the antithesis of hatred and hostility. The European community and its member states are now characterised by cohesion and cooperation. The EU is thus an association of self-governing states that consciously assign national sovereign rights on a supranational, European level.
Today, German policy is significantly influenced by decisions from Brussels. This is because there is a basic consensus among all EU member states that joint and collective measures are more effective than national, unilateral actions.
What began in 1951 with the European Coal and Steel Community developed over decades with many small integration steps to become the world’s largest peace project!
In a globalised and increasingly complex world with competition between China, Russia and the USA, Europe and the prosperity of its member states can only continue to exist if it decisively acts in unison.
The history of Europe has always been fascinating to me and very rich in detail. More about this is presented in the podcast: Europas Weg (Prof. Schorkopf/Universität Göttingen).
European Parliament
The European Parliament is composed of 705 members (MEPs). Each of the 27 member states, regardless of its size and population density, sends at least six MEPs to Brussels.
Ninety-six Members of the European Parliament are from Germany; eleven are from Lower Saxony. For the CDU (Christian Democratic Union of Germany), these include David McAllister MEP, Jens Gieseke MEP and me.
Since 1979, the Members of the European Parliament have been directly elected by EU citizens in the member states. In the course of the European Union’s integration history, the Parliament has succeeded in asserting more and more of its own rights with regard to legislation and decision-making processes. For example, budgetary law is now within the scope of the Parliamentary authority.
The policy-making function also enables the Parliament to become an equal part of the legislative process – alongside the European Council (although there is no right to initiate legislation). However, both institutions can request the Commission to initiate laws through the so-called indirect right of initiative.
I serve on the following committees
- In Brussels, I am a member of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), vice-coordinator of the parliamentary group for the Committee on Home Affairs and spokesperson for home affairs and migration policy for the CDU/CSU group.
- The Committee on Regional Development (REGI), for which I am a substitute member, is responsible, among other things, for determining the criteria for the allocation of EU funding in rural areas.
- I am also a substitute member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI), which is especially important for our region.
- I also sit as a substitute member on the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM).
I belong to the following delegations
Delegation work includes maintaining a dialogue with our partners in non-member countries. The aim is to create prosperity for all, primarily by strengthening democracy and respect for human rights, and ensuring EU citizens can live in peace.
- As a member of the Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Parliamentary Stabilisation and Association Committee, my work covers all aspects of Montenegro's accession to the EU. We pay particular attention to the rule of law and the protection of fundamental freedoms. Our aim is to help Montenegro prepare for EU membership and support the country on its path to EU accession.
- I am also a deputy in the Delegation for Relations with Japan, where we represent and promote the interests of the European Union. We work primarily to develop and strengthen the bilateral political, economic, cultural, educational and scientific sectors.
Visitor groups
Would you like to gain more insight into our political work in Europe?
Come visit me as a group (min. 10 people) in Brussels or Strasbourg! Your visit includes a guided tour of the plenary chamber and a discussion session with me.
Individuals and small groups are also invited to meet me and learn about European policy. My team would be happy to organise a visit for you as part of a larger group.
If you have any questions or are interested in visiting us, please contact Sinje Rohwedder, email: wahlkreis@lena-duepont.eu
Current
Always up-to-date
My newsletter is sent out twice a month to keep you up-to-date on the most important EU debates and decisions in a professionally classified format. I also announce dates and current events in my constituency and highlight interesting interviews.
Would you like to stay up-to-date and receive the latest news from Lena Düpont MEP via WhatsApp?
Here’s how:
- Save the number +49 173 1539919 under “Team Düpont”
- Install or open WhatsApp
- Send a message to Lena with the word “Start” and your post code
Important note: Our messages to you are written by Lena or her team and not automated. If at any time you no longer wish to receive these messages, simply send the word “Stop.”
My Team
I am very grateful for the dedicated, responsible and articulate support of my team! These are the people at my side in Lower Saxony and Brussels.
local at heart
From coal mining to wind turbines, from university research centres to tiny villages with only three inhabitants. From thriving business location to agricultural region. Lower Saxony is a land of contrasts. But its people all have one thing in common: despite our northern German reticence, we are warm and loyal. We’re steadfast and down-to-earth – with a clear outlook for the future!
Politics thrives on sharing information with one another and shaping democracy together. I welcome your questions, criticism and suggestions to make my work for you, for Lower Saxony and for Europe even better and to successfully implement good ideas. Write to me, call me or visit me in my office in Gifhorn during the weeks when the European Parliament is not in session. I look forward to hearing your feedback and talking with you!
