Marta
Marta Barandiy is a prominent figure with a rich law, activism, and European politics background. Born June 13, 1984, in Lviv, Ukraine, she embarked on her academic and professional journey with a deep-rooted appreciation for European values and the liberal rule of law. Her academic career led her to pursue a Master’s degree at the Europa-Institut, Saarland University, Germany, focusing on European integration and the sovereignty of states. Marta has made significant contributions to the academic field with publications such as Europäische Integration der Ukraine und Souveränität and Souveränität als Gewährleistung der Interessen der Staaten, highlighting her expertise in international law and European policies.
In May 2014, amidst the Ukrainian Revolution of Dignity, Marta founded Promote Ukraine, a Brussels-based NGO dedicated to supporting civil society, promoting human rights, and fostering Ukraine’s political and economic development within the European Union. Her leadership in this organization has been instrumental, and the NGO received the European Citizen’s Prize in 2022 for its efforts.
Her professional journey includes a significant role at Volvo Group in Ghent, Belgium, where she started in October 2012. As a counsel at the Ukrainian law firm Asters, she led the company’s Brussels office, working there until 2021.
Her candidacy marks Marta’s transition from academia and activism to politics for the European Parliament, where she aims to influence EU policies directly. Her campaign revolves around strengthening the EU’s defense capabilities, integrating European values into migration policies, and empowering civil society, strongly focusing on enhancing EU-Ukraine relations.
Marta’s personal story is deeply intertwined with Belgium, where she has lived since 2011. Despite facing challenges as an immigrant and a new mother, she navigated her way through the Belgian job market and eventually founded her own company, Djannet Consulting, in 2018. She represents the VOOR U party in the European Parliament, reflecting her commitment to liberal ideals, human rights, and the betterment of the EU and Flanders through limited government, power brought closer to people, and improved migration conditions and labor.
Barandiy’s Belgian journey, academic prowess, and political aspirations paint a picture of a dedicated advocate for sovereignty, European integration, and the promotion of human rights. Her life’s work embodies a bridge between Ukraine and the European Union, striving for a future where these regions are more closely aligned in values, policies, and cooperation.
Marta VOOR U
The VOOR U party is a relatively new political movement in Flanders, Belgium, with its platform focusing on bringing politics closer to the people, promoting a smaller, more efficient, and less intrusive government, opposing policies perceived as punitive towards citizens, and advocating for substantial reforms across various sectors including justice, migration, education, healthcare, agriculture, social security, budget management, and pensions. The party emphasizes enhancing direct democracy and local governance power, akin to the model seen in Switzerland, aiming for a reduction in bureaucratic regulations, fines, and administrative bodies.
Els Ampe, a notable figure within the party, has been highlighted for her courage in leaving the traditional party landscape to help establish VOOR U, emphasizing the desire for political renewal and solutions for good governance. The party has collaborated with several new parties and independents disillusioned with traditional politics, working on a platform that aligns with essential changes needed to implement new policies. This collaboration is founded on a shared belief in the necessity of a political approach closer to the people, streamlined, and less meddlesome by the state, highlighting a mutual commitment to reducing governmental overreach, enhancing people’s rights, and freedom of expression.
VOOR U aims to represent a broad spectrum of voters disenchanted with the current political status quo, seeking to provide a fresh alternative focused on more freedom, kindness, and understanding while clearly delineating their stance on fundamental human freedoms. Their approach to politics is centered around what unites them rather than divides them, focusing on solutions to people’s problems as laid out in their principle declaration. This approach allows for collaboration among diverse parties and individuals around shared goals without necessitating complete agreement on all issues.
For more detailed insights into their political platform, principles, and initiatives, you can visit the official website vooru.be
Marta VOOR Europa
Marta Barandiy’s election campaign centers on a vision for a Europe defined by efficiency, transparency, and strength. Key points include advocating for the liberal rule of law, sustainable peace, human rights, property rights freedom, and a robust defense against external threats like Russian aggression. Marta emphasizes scrutinizing migration through European values, promoting civil society’s role, and democratizing EU institutions to ensure closer alignment with citizens’ interests. Her program advocates for subsidiarity, transparency in EU lobbying, direct democracy enhancements, and more robust EU security, aiming for a more responsive and inclusive EU.
Marta champions the concept of direct democracy, emphasizing the role of citizens in influencing political decisions through the rule of law, advocating for the use of digital tools for more significant democratic participation, and recognizing NGOs as pivotal in active citizenship. Regarding migration, she believes in the importance of integrating into European values to maintain the continent’s dignity and human rights standards. For defense, Marta argues that Belgium/Flanders should enhance its capacity for strength and unity with allies to defend national interests effectively.
Marta Barandiy is an exemplary candidate for the European Parliament elections 2024, offering a fresh and dynamic perspective on Europe’s future. With a profound commitment to direct democracy, migration integrated with European values, and bolstering defense capabilities, her platform aligns with the needs of a modern, secure, and democratic Europe. Marta’s extensive experience in fostering EU-Ukraine relations, advocating for human rights, and her leadership in Promote Ukraine demonstrate her ability to effectuate positive change and effectively represent European citizens. Her vision for a transparent, efficient, and robust Europe speaks directly to the pressing challenges facing the continent today.
