Politics

Volt Party in Luxembourg

This article delves into the intricacies of Volt Luxembourg, exploring its organizational structure and representativeness, the influential figures who lead the charge, the party's current political stance, and the roots from which it draws inspiration.

Table of content

In the political landscape of Luxembourg, amidst a tapestry of established parties, there exists an entity that stands out from the conventional norms of political organization. Volt Luxembourg, founded in 2018, is a unique player in the realm of Luxembourgish politics, as it is not a fully independent entity, but rather an integral part of the wider European movement known as Volt Europa.

Volt party at a glance

This groundbreaking political movement emerged in 2017, sparked by the Brexit referendum and the rising wave of populism across the continent. Its founders, Andrea Venzon, Colombe Cahen-Salvador, and Damian Boeselager, envisioned Volt as a catalyst for redefining political engagement and shaping a common European future. With a pro-European stance, Volt Luxembourg is expected to appeal to people who share similar values and envision a more united and cohesive Europe.

Volt Europa, as the parent organization, bears the torch of transnationalism and seeks to bridge divides in an ever-diverse European landscape. Within this context, Volt Luxembourg assumes a pivotal role in championing this vision within the Grand Duchy.

Elections

Parties

Leaders

Political Guide

Structure and representativeness

In Luxembourg, the party's presence remains modest, with a membership count of approximately 60 individuals. However, Volt Europa boasts a substantial membership base of over 25,000 individuals spread across more than 30 European countries.

Volt Europa is structured around the concept of associated members, who can be either natural persons, referred to as Associated Individual Members, or legal entities, known as Associated Member Associations. Volt Luxembourg falls into the latter category.

The inner life of a party

Internally, Volt Europa functions as a non-profit association, comprising two primary bodies.

The General Assembly

Represents the highest echelon of internal authority, consisting of all active members. Its responsibilities encompass pivotal matters such as amendments to the statutes, voluntary dissolution of the association, the appointment of one or more liquidators, and the exclusion of members from the Association.

The Board of Directors

Is composed of a minimum of two Co-Presidents, a Treasurer, and six additional members. This body wields extensive powers in the administration and management of the Association within the bounds of its objectives. Any matters not expressly reserved for the General Assembly or other committees and bodies, as defined by the statutes or internal regulations, fall under the purview of the Board of Directors.

Volt Luxembourg maintains its distinctive governance structure with a dedicated Board of Directors comprising two Presidents, a Vice President, a Secretary General, and a Treasurer, ensuring focused and effective leadership within the context of Luxembourgish politics.

Electoral system divides the country into four constituencies. The number of seats allocated to each constituency is proportional to its population

seats in the South

seats in the Center

seats in the North

seats in the East

People and influence in the party

Key personnel profiles

Andrea Venzon from Italy, Colombe Cahen Salvador from France, and Damian Boeselager from Germany established Volt Europa in 2016. The Luxembourg division is presently overseen by two presidents and a vice-president. Under their leadership, the party took part in the 2019 elections.

Aurélie Dap

Currently serves as a Co-president of the party alongside Michel Conter. In 2022, Aurélie chose to join Volt Luxembourg, driven by her deep commitment to certain core values and beliefs: environmental conservation, the protection of human rights, and the promotion of European unity. Raised in a generation acutely aware of pressing environmental concerns, Aurélie recognizes the urgent need to act now to safeguard the future. She also defends equality for all: no-one should be discriminated against because of their origins, sexuality or identity. Finally, for Aurélie, Europe is a key element for our present and our future, and it must be preserved and united.

Michel Conter

Currently serves as a Co-president of the party alongside Aurélie Dap. Michel is a passionate IT enthusiast who has built his career as a consultant, undertaking projects throughout Europe. In his role, he has come to appreciate the significance of cross-border collaboration. However, he's also faced challenges stemming from the existing European model. Given the impending climate crisis, Michel decided to join Volt in 2022 to contribute positively and effect change.

Other key members of the party

Philippe Schannes

Vice-President of Volt Luxembourg

Daniel Silva

General Secretary of the Volt party in Luxembourg

Samuel Moïse

Treasurer of the Volt party in Luxembourg

Similarly, given its recent establishment, Volt Luxembourg does not currently have members of the party serving as deputies in the Luxembourgish parliament. Nevertheless, it's worth examining the party's 26 candidates for upcoming elections, which can provide insights into its growing presence in the political landscape.

It's notable that Volt Europa, the parent organization, does have notable representatives in other countries. For instance, Volt has two members in the House of Representatives of the Netherlands and one in the National Assembly of Bulgaria, reflecting its broader European reach.

There are 705 seats in the European Parliament.

These seats are divided among member countries based on their population size.

6 seats

are granted to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in the European Parliament

96 seats

are held by Germany, the most populous EU state, and the neighbor of the GDL

In the 2019 European elections, Volt Luxembourg secured 2.11% of the votes but did not secure a mandate. However, Volt Europa appointed a member representing the global party's interests in the Parliament — Damian Boeselager from Germany.

Volt's current political stance

Volt's mission extends far beyond mere participation in elections; it seeks to reshape Europe, making it more democratic, and transparent, and reinforcing the European Parliament.

The party and its cornerstones

As the overarching organization uniting all Volt parties, Volt Europa, following its inception, adopted the "5+1 Challenges." These challenges encapsulate the fundamental issues Volt aims to address throughout Europe, though their implementation may vary by region. The "+1 Challenge" is centered on reforming and strengthening the European Union itself.

Party views visualization

Photo submitted by Volt party

Volt is known for its 5+1 steps program to face the EU challenges

Smart state

Governments should provide top-tier public services, including digitalization to enhance efficiency and quality

Economic renaissance

Innovation must drive societal progress. The party wants to address unemployment and support small businesses

Social equality

Eradicating inequalities and discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, etc.

Global balance

Aligning policies with sustainable development goals, including addressing climate change

Citizen empowerment

Policies grounded in promoting a diverse information and media landscape, tools and technologies for political engagement

+1 EU Reform

Advocating for reform to make the EU more democratic, transparent, and stronger, moving toward a federal Europe

Political program

For your convenience we present you a condensed summary of the key points in the Volt party's program.

Promoting the European Union

Equality through education

Electoral reform

Gender equality and minorities

Committing to climate and science

Enhancing mobility

Party representation

While Volt Luxembourg has not yet participated in general elections, though it received 2.11% of the vote in the 2019 European elections. It is essential to consider the party's principles to estimate the population it primarily represents.

Electorate demographics

The party is popular among several parts of the society

Pro-European

Young voters

Progressive views

Alternative seekers

Founded in response to the UK's departure from the European Union and as a reaction to the rise of populism, Volt is firmly aligned with a pro-European stance.

The party advocates for the expansion of the European Union's competencies across various domains, including development, foreign policy, and security. Volt Luxembourg is expected to appeal to people who uphold similar values and envision a more united and cohesive Europe. The party's origins in opposing populism and promoting European unity indicate that it aims to represent those who value teamwork and collaboration across countries, especially in today's dynamic political environment.

Photo submitted by Volt party

Democratic party in comparison

	Volt	LSAP	DP	Greens
Environment	Middle	Low	Middle	High
Electorate	Young	Older	Young	Young
Trade unions	No	Yes	No	Yes
Secularism	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Volt's office is located in Schifflange

Office location: 20 Cité op Hudelen, Schifflange
Phone number: (+352) 26 65 09 91
Official website: voltluxembourg.org

Brief history of the party

The story of Volt Luxembourg is intertwined with the founding and growth of Volt Europa, the pan-European political movement. Here's a concise timeline of key events that have shaped the party's present stance on the arena in Luxembourg.

Emergence as a major party: 1950s-1960s

Current participation of countries in the Volt affiliation. Screenshot of the party's website.

March 29, 2017

Volt Europa was born as a non-profit association founded by Andrea Venzon, Colombe Cahen-Salvador, and Damian Boeselager. The founders saw it as a response to rising populism and the Brexit issue.

March 2018

The first national branch, Volt Germany, was established in Hamburg, Germany.

2018

Volt Luxembourg emerged, roughly a year after the inception of Volt Europa.

October 27-28, 2018

Volt Europa held its General Assembly in Amsterdam, unveiling the Amsterdam Declaration program for the European Parliament.

March 22-24, 2019

Volt Europa hosted its inaugural European Congress in Rome, presenting its candidates for the 2019 European Parliament election.

June 9, 2019

Following a pan-European party member vote, Volt joined the Greens/European Free Alliance group in the European Parliament.

October 12-13, 2019

Volt Europa conducted its General Assembly in Sofia, adopting new electoral rules, leading to the election of co-presidents Valerie Sternberg and Reinier van Lanschot, replacing the founders.

Spring 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Volt held its General Assembly digitally, charting its course until 2024.

2021 Dutch General Election

Volt Netherlands, led by Laurens Dassen, secured 2.4% of the vote, earning three seats, their best national performance to date.

2021 Bulgarian Parliamentary Elections

Volt Bulgaria participated, eventually gaining two seats in the November 2021 elections, which they retained in October 2022.

October 16-17, 2021

Volt Europa hosted its General Assembly in Lisbon, Portugal. New leaders were elected, including co-president Francesca Romana D'Antuono and treasurer Johannes Heinrich.

2022 Dutch Municipal Elections

Volt won 20 seats in ten municipalities. In the 2023 Dutch provincial elections, they secured 11 seats in regional councils and two Senate seats.

German City Councils

Volt gained mandates in olt gained mandates in numerous city councils, including major cities like Cologne, Bonn, Darmstadt, Munich, Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, and Hannover.

Volt Luxembourg emerged, roughly a year after the inception of Volt Europa.

Today, Volt boasts over 25,000 members across 30 European countries, with approximately 70% of members being newcomers to politics. Looking ahead, Volt Luxembourg is gearing up to participate in the upcoming legislative elections in October, fielding candidates in both the southern and eastern constituencies.