Das will Volt!

Summary

The video script discusses the VOLT party, a pan-European political movement founded in 2017, which gained momentum in the 2019 EU elections, securing five seats in the EU Parliament. VOLT, known for its progressive stance on climate and migration policies, aims to strengthen the EU's role and cooperation among member states. With a focus on social equality, economic revival, and a transparent and active citizenry, VOLT presents a unique position in the political landscape, attracting support from younger voters while also facing challenges in distinguishing itself from other parties.

Takeaways

• 🎉 The mood at the party is very good, with a sense of enjoyment being in the heart of politics.
• 📊 Volt, a relatively new party, has gained significant support, especially among first-time and young voters in Germany and the Netherlands, securing five seats in the EU Parliament.
• 🗳️ Volt was particularly successful among voters aged 16 to 24, receiving 8% of the votes in this demographic.
• 🏛️ Founded in 2017 as a pan-European movement, Volt aims to represent both the EU and individual member states, with a strong presence in local parliaments in Germany.
• 🛑 The party has a clear stance against far-right extremism and has a 'no cooperation' policy with the AfD and other extremist parties.
• 🌍 Volt's core values include pro-European policies, advocating for more cooperation and integration within the EU, and the establishment of English as the working language for EU institutions.
• 💡 The party's policy platform is extensive, covering areas such as global balance, economic renaissance, active citizenship, intelligent governance, and social equality, with a focus on climate and migration issues.
• 🌳 Volt's climate policy includes faster moves away from CO2 emissions, with a specific goal of exiting coal in Germany by 2030 and significant changes in energy production.
• 💼 Economic policies of Volt involve reducing bureaucracy, providing more funding for startups, and fostering economic growth through new technologies and innovations, including artificial intelligence.
• 👶 Social equality is a key goal for Volt, with proposals to reduce poverty in the EU, provide free baby supplies to new parents, and offer every EU citizen a start-up capital of 20,000 Euros at the age of 22.
• 📊 Volt's success in the EU elections is seen as a potential indicator of its ability to attract support, but its future success in national elections remains uncertain due to its strong European focus.

Q & A

What was the atmosphere like at the party during the EU election?

The atmosphere at the party was very positive and joyful, as indicated by the cheering and the statement that being in the heart of politics is a lot of fun.

How many representatives did Volt manage to send to the EU Parliament after the EU election in June?

Volt managed to send a total of five representatives to the EU Parliament, with three from Germany and two from the Netherlands.

What was Volt's success rate among first-time and young voters in Germany during the EU election?

Volt was particularly successful among first-time and young voters in Germany, receiving 8% of the votes from the 16 to 24-year-old age group.

What percentage of the total votes did Volt achieve in all age groups combined during the EU election?

Volt achieved 2.6% of the total votes across all age groups in the EU election.

What does the term 'Paneuropean' signify in the context of Volt's founding principles?

The term 'Paneuropean' signifies that Volt was initially founded as a European party that is active for the EU and also represents individual member states, aiming for a Europe-wide movement.

What was the original name of the project that later became Volt?

The original name of the project was 'Vox Europa', which was later changed to Volt.

How many EU Parliament seats did Volt aim to achieve in the 2019 EU election, and how successful were they?

Volt aimed to achieve 25 seats in the 2019 EU election but was only successful in sending one representative, Damian Boeselager, to the EU Parliament with 0.7% of the votes.

What is the significance of the 'Arschloch' poster in Volt's EU election campaign?

The 'Arschloch' poster was a prominent part of Volt's campaign for the EU election, featuring a bold white text on a purple background, advocating against right-wing extremism and encouraging voting.

What are the main policy focuses of Volt as indicated by their campaign posters and program?

Volt's main policy focuses include climate and migration issues, with a Europe-wide program addressing these topics, as well as global balance, economic renaissance, politically active citizenship, a smart state, and social equality.

What is Volt's stance on the European Union's role and its future structure?

Volt is a pro-European party that advocates for more cooperation at the EU level, aiming to significantly expand the EU's competencies and treat it more like a unified state, with member countries as part of this construct.

What are some of the key proposals in Volt's economic policy?

Volt's economic policy includes reducing bureaucracy, providing more financing options for startups, fostering economic growth through new technologies and innovations, and advocating for uniform corporate taxation across the EU to ensure fair competition.

What is Volt's position on social equality and how do they plan to achieve it?

Volt aims to reduce the number of poor people in the EU to under 50 million by 2030, mainly through a comprehensive social program, and supports various population groups, including providing a starter kit for new parents and offering a start-up capital of 20,000 Euros to every EU citizen upon turning 22.

How does Volt approach the issue of migration and what are their proposals?

Volt supports a coordinated approach between individual states and the EU with clear rules, and wants to abolish deportations in the medium term, instead creating incentives for voluntary return and addressing the root causes of flight, including climate refugees.

What are Volt's views on climate policy and what measures do they propose?

Volt recognizes the need for a faster transition away from CO2 emissions than currently planned, with a coal exit in Germany by 2030 and significant changes in energy production, aiming to reshape climate policy in Germany and Europe.

What is Volt's political direction and how does it compare with other parties?

Volt can be categorized as center-left, with some left-leaning demands such as on migration, but also positions that deviate from typical left-wing stances, such as their economic model and security policy positions, including advocating for a 'capable EU' with increased defense spending.

What are the demographic characteristics of Volt's leadership and support base?

Volt's leadership and many of its candidates have an academic background, and the party has a very young average age, which might appeal to younger voters. However, it lacks representatives from less educated and lower perspective backgrounds, despite positioning itself as a party for the socially weaker.

What are Volt's chances of success in future elections, especially at the national level?

Volt's success in the EU election shows potential, but its future role at the national level is uncertain. It will depend on whether the party can continue to raise awareness, differentiate itself from others, and develop unique selling points beyond its European focus.