My name is Raquel García Hermida-van der Walle. I was born and raised in Madrid, and since 2012 I have been a proud Gorredijkse: the Frisian village that has embraced me and where I have started my Dutch-Spanish-Frisian family.
With one foot in Gorredijk and the other everywhere in Europe where I lived, worked, and visited, I often hear people complain about the EU and everything that is “wrong” with it: a democratic deficit, the sense of a permanent migration crisis, or that the “rich, hardworking Netherlands” is subsidizing East and South Europe. These complaints are not unfounded.
The EU can only realize its full potential as an engine for peace, freedom, and prosperity if we bring it closer to citizens. That bridge, that connection, is what I try to build every day. That is one of the reasons why I want to join the European Parliament. With your trust, I can make an important contribution to realizing an ambitious and social-liberal vision for Europe.
For over 20 years, I have worked on sustainability, human rights, animal wellbeing, biodiversity, equal opportunities and the promotion of democratic values, on the national and international level. I know the players and processes. As an experienced leader and manager, I am ready to bring everything to the table as a European parliamentarian.
This is why I am running for the European Parliament with D66 again, and why I am asking for your support and your vote.
Raquel
P.S. Curious about my career? Read my complete CV here.