Defend Democracy is excited to welcome former Member of European Parliament Sophie In ‘t Veld to its Advisory Board. In ‘t Veld is a leading voice on democracy with 30 years experience in European politics.

Sophie In ‘t Veld: “I am very pleased and honoured to join Defend Democracy, a young and visionary organisation. We tend to take democracy for granted, but today it is under huge pressure in many places, even within the European Union. We cannot remain silent!”

Marking the occasion, Defend Democracy invited In ‘t Veld as the speaker to its monthly #DemocracyDrinks. In a lively exchange with a crowd of around fifty democracy defenders, Sophie urged the European Parliament to do its job as democratic watchdog: “Less bark, more bite!”

Sophie In ‘t Veld wrapped up the evening with a passionate commitment:

“It is really crucial that we get the message across that this is our democracy. And yes, what happens in the U.S. [elections] will have massive impact. But it cannot be that voters across the big pond vote about the quality of our democracy. We have to take care of it. And even if I will not be in the [European Parliament] any more, I’ll be on the barricades for this cause.”

Biography

Sophie in ‘t Veld has thirty years of experience in European politics. After ten years as a staffer, she went on to serve as member of the EU Parliament from 2004 to 2024 as member of the European liberal democrat group (ALDE/Renew) and its Deputy Leader (2014-2019). She was member of the Dutch social liberal party D66 and joined the pan-European party Volt in 2023.

Sophie in ‘t Veld is staunchly pro-European and a leading voice on democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights. From 2018 onwards she chaired the European Parliament ‘Democracy, Rule of Law, and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group’ that had been set up at her initiative, in response to growing rule of law concerns in several EU member states.

Defend Democracy, 22 October 2024