11. Daniël van Ginkel

Hello, I am Daniël van Ginkel, 24 years old. I am currently studying at Leiden University and working on my master's degree in constitutional and administrative law. I also work for the Municipality of Leiden as a legal assistant. In my spare time, I enjoy sports, preferably running. I train at Leiden Athletics and can often be found there. I also contribute to the club by giving weekly training sessions to young people, and I am part of the board of this wonderful club!

The interaction between national and European law plays a central role in my studies. This involves EU law, the protection of citizens' (fundamental) rights and the question of how we should interpret and apply national legislation. These are precisely the themes that make Volt so important: cross-border cooperation, a strong European legal order and a politics that protects citizens. This connection between local politics and European values drives me to work for Volt.

I also want to contribute to a future with a liveable planet. Climate change is not something far removed from our daily lives, but something we are already noticing in our living environment. It is impossible for us to solve this on our own as a small “cold frog country”. That is precisely why European cooperation is necessary and why I believe that Volt has a crucial role to play in this. Tackling the problems of the future together; that is what I am committed to.

In the municipality of Leiden, I want to work on a policy that is open, honest and future-oriented. I want residents to feel heard, decisions to be explained transparently and policies to be made that are both legally sound and socially just. Whether it concerns sustainable housing, greening, participation or enforcement: policy must be clear, explainable and reliable.

I am confident that my legal background, my ability to explain complex issues in an accessible way and my focus on careful decision-making will be of use. I quickly see the connection between local choices and the broader European and social context. I want to use this combination of analysis and practical application to make municipal politics stronger and more inclusive.

In my opinion, the greatest challenge is the climate and sustainability challenge. Not only because of its urgency, but also because this must be a fair transition: everyone must be able to participate. Municipalities can make a difference in this by providing direction and supporting residents.

I believe that members see me as someone who listens, takes responsibility and works together with conviction. I believe in politics that is clear, constructive and hopeful. With Volt, I want to build a future in which we achieve more together than we could alone. Only together can we take a step towards a better world!