Sophie in t Veld

About Sophie in t Veld

With thirty years of experience in European politics, including twenty years as an MEP, Sophie in ‘t Veld speaks knowledgeably on a broad spectrum of European issues.

Sophie in ‘t Veld is a passionate speaker and her fervent plea for a stronger and more democratic Europe is interspersed with countless examples from daily practice. She knows how to explain European politics in simple language for any audience. As a very experienced chair, she knows how to lead debates on the razor’s edge and to deliver concrete conclusions.

In ‘t Veld has a distinct profile as a pioneer for privacy and fundamental rights in the digital age, and as a champion of the democratic rule of law. In ‘t Veld can also always be found on the barricades for LGBT rights and women’s rights. As the European Parliament’s co-negotiator for asylum and migration policy, she managed to secure a number of important guarantees for humane policies despite the hostile political climate. She steered legislation on numerous other issues through Parliament, for instance on pensions, golden passports, state aid, or on the Russia sanctions regime.

Her vision on broader political issues such as EU enlargement, Brexit, institutional and political development of the Union, Europe’s geopolitical role, and security, is grounded in deep knowledge of the EU as well as the national politics of the EU member states. She set out her ideas in, among others, ‘A European ID’ on European identity (https://uitgeverijprometheus.nl/boeken/europees-id-e-boek/), and ‘The scent of wild animals’, ‘Naked Power’ and ‘Naked Power’ on the European Parliament as a counter-power in European democracy.

In the European Parliament, In ‘t Veld held several leading positions, including Deputy Leader of the European Liberal Group, Chair of the Rule of Law Monitoring group of the European Parliament, and First Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.

Her work earned her recognition, including the titles Liberal of the year (JOVD) and Euronederlander of the Year (European Movement), Humanist of the year (International Humanist and Ethical Union) and Secularist of the year (UK National Secular Society). Her work for privacy protection was rewarded with the International Privacy Champion Award (Electronic Privacy Information Centre, Washington) and the Winston Award (Bits of Freedom). She also received the 2018 Circle Pension Award from the Dutch Kring van Pensioenspecialisten.