The past legislative period was characterised by unforeseeable shocks such as the pandemic and Russia's war against Ukraine. Inflation, tense supply chains and panic buying also posed major challenges for trade.

Dr Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann is the FDP's top candidate

one: What are your party's priorities for the coming years in the food retail sector?

Dr Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann: With new free trade agreements and a deepened internal market, the EU can make a tangible contribution to resilient supply chains and thus also to stable prices. The trade agreement with Canada (CETA) must finally be fully ratified in all EU countries, including the regulations on investment protection. We should also resolutely push ahead with free trade with South America. In Brussels, I will work to reduce the bureaucratic burden on trade, because good environmental and consumer protection can also be achieved with less bureaucracy. The EU laws passed under the "Green Deal" must therefore be reviewed in the next legislative period and the resulting bureaucratic burdens significantly reduced. For me, it is important that the EU Packaging Regulation does not become an expensive bureaucratic monster for companies, but instead benefits the environment and facilitates trade in the internal market. The EU marketing standards for fruit and vegetables can also be fundamentally simplified. Trade, like many other sectors, is suffering from the increasing shortage of skilled labour. We therefore need an EU strategy for the recruitment of skilled labour. The goal must be a largely harmonised immigration law for skilled workers that also allows third-country nationals uncomplicated mobility for the purpose of gainful employment.

one: Many rapporteurs see Europe in a crisis in terms of domestic and foreign policy. What continues to inspire you about Europe?

Dr Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann: There are many things. I have been a passionate European from an early age. It is the greatest peace project in living memory. With its fundamental values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law, the EU protects people from discrimination, state arbitrariness and human rights violations. The single market offers incredible opportunities for growth and advancement for innovative companies. Europe has brought us peace and prosperity. We must revitalise this European spirit. It must not be suffocated by bureaucracy and pettiness.

one: The last turnout in the European elections was just over 50%. Why should citizens go to the polls this time in particular?

Dr Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann: I am also dissatisfied with the way things have developed in Brussels: Small-scale specifications that extend into the everyday life of companies, but no convincing answers to the big questions of economic system competition and technological revolutions. But the good news is: There is a lot of energy in Europe. We can become world leaders again economically and ensure greater security on the continent. This election is about the really big issues, the defence of our prosperity and our way of life. Brussels has great influence on this. However, we must utilise it much better than we have in recent years under Commission President von der Leyen (CDU). That's what I stand for, and that's why it's worth going to the polls on 9 June and voting for the Free Democrats.

one: Which item should never be missing from your shopping basket?

Dr Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann: A jar of Düsseldorfer Löwensenf. It should never be missing from typical Rhineland dishes such as Halve Hahn and Flöns.

Interview with Terry Reintke, Co-President of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament.

Terry Reintke is standing as the lead candidate for the Greens (European Green Party) in the 2024 European elections. She looks at trade-related issues, the European idea and gives us a glimpse into her shopping basket. Click here for the article.

A chat with Katharina Barley, the SPD's lead candidate

Katharina Barley is standing as the SPD's lead candidate in the 2024 European elections. She talks about regional value creation, the miracle of Europe and culinary sources of strength in the election campaign in in one. Click here for the article.

Interview with Manfred Weber, lead candidate of the CSU.

Manfred Weber is standing as the CSU's lead candidate in the 2024 European elections. In the following, he explains why he believes Europe is a community of destiny and what the most important task will be. We also take a look inside his shopping basket. Click here for the article.