Politics

The party manifesto of the Swedish liberal party has an excellent introduction on the foundations of liberalism that guide my work in the European Parliament.

The individual human is the starting point of liberalism. The goal is her freedom and chances in life. Every person is unique and shall regardless of their background, talent or strength be given the opportunity to develop.

Humans are equipped with reason, senses, conscience and a sense of responsibility. We all have a right to life, freedom and the pursuit of happiness. At the same time we have a responsibility to ensure that these rights are accessible for everyone. The respect for the fact that all individuals are of equal value and dignity imply that each person has a right to her own self-determination.

Liberalism considers all people as equals, but not as the same. Everyone should have equal opportunity to make their own choices in life and to develop as independent individuals. Differences that follow from the free choices of people should not be equalised by politicians. Liberal justice is about equal opportunity, not about the same result.

In my work as a member of the European Parliament this view of liberalism is translated into working for the equal access to all persons to their fundamental rights, and notably the rights of minorities. I work for a European Union where everyone gets the chance to determine their own path, where we tear down walls and build bridges. I believe that the freedom of all European citizens is worth fighting for and I will never accept that there are governments in EU Member States that do their utmost to limit the democratic rights of their citizens.

I am a strong proponent of free market economy and free trade, since we know that these are tools to create both growth and prosperity but also individual liberty. I am at the same time in favour of strong regulations to protect, for example, our common environment and consumer rights. I want to see a European Union that keeps together, also on a social level, where we help each other to remove the economic injustices that were created as half of our continent had to endure a half-century under communist oppression.

I work for a European Union where everyone can live their life in freedom, and where we not only accept that we are different but where we realise that it is precisely this diversity and respect for differences that is the source of our strength.