It is a good tradition at the Robert-Franck-Schule for students from the business high school to put well-prepared questions to state and European politicians about the future of Europe on Europe Project Day. This year, 24-year-old member of the state parliament Alena Trauschel took part in the panel discussion. She is a member of the State Parliament Committee for Culture, Youth and Sport and spokesperson for the FDP parliamentary group on European issues.
In his opening remarks, principal Wolfgang Ulshöfer emphasized: "In recent decades, Europe has often become a little-appreciated matter of course. Especially in view of the current threat to our liberal values posed by Russia's terrible war against Ukraine, it is all the more important that we need a strong, united Europe with a united front today more than ever." In the welcome address that followed, First State Official Jürgen Vogt emphasized that the EU has made great progress in certain areas since the last European elections, for example in climate policy. He sees challenges above all in the common asylum and migration policy.
For the panel discussion that followed, the Year 1 pupils from the business high school had prepared questions in advance with their social studies teachers, which the student mentors contributed. "How did you get into politics so early on?" asked Luisa Fernandez. Trauschel remembers her brother's graduation ceremony as a carpenter, at which Christian Lindner gave a speech that made a lasting impression on her. She then joined the FDP when she graduated from high school in 2017. She has a dedicated team at her disposal so that she can pursue her studies and her seat in the state parliament at the same time. In the area of foreign policy, Trauschel answers Luisa Fernandez's question: "Is the EU important for Germany and should it have more powers and be further expanded geographically?" with a clear "yes". In principle, Trauschel sees room for improvement in communication between the local level and the EU. In her view, support for the EU has also declined as a result of the many crises of the last ten years, the refugee movements and the coronavirus pandemic. However, closing the borders is not an option for her either. "Only if a dignified stay can no longer be guaranteed do I understand the need to limit immigration," says Trauschel. With regard to Russia's war against Ukraine, she emphasizes: "Weapons alone do not create peace. But arms deliveries to Ukraine are absolutely necessary to defend our values. Otherwise, the likelihood of Russia expanding its sphere of influence to the west is real". In conclusion, Trauschel reveals himself to be a fan of public transport, but believes that renewable fuels are necessary as a bridging technology in view of the large number of vehicles with combustion engines worldwide.
In the entertaining panel discussion, Trauschel proved that she is still close to the students' everyday lives and has not lost her interest and sensitivity for the students' concerns, regardless of the EU's global problems.
