Carola Rackete is running for the Left in the European elections this year, not as a member of the party, but as an activist. What motivated her – and what she wants to achieve.
The fact that Carola Rackete served as captain on the Sea Watch 3 in 2019 was a coincidence. And this coincidence gave her a platform that she didn’t really want. After she saved 52 refugees and illegally entered the port of Lampedusa with them, Carola Rackete became a figurehead in sea rescue. Their topic is actually environmental and climate protection, which, without a doubt, can hardly be separated from refugee movements.
In the star-Podcast “The Boss – Power is Female” she talks to multi-supervisory board member and host Simone Menne about why the climate crisis made her an activist – and why she wants to combine activism and politics with her mandate for the left. She talks about the rise of the right in Europe and why she is used to living without residency. Excerpts from the conversation can be found in the interview below.
Ms. Rackete, you are the Left’s top candidate for the European elections 2024, but not a member of the left. What motivated you to do this?
The drama of the climate crisis. We are far from taking the measures that are necessary. The EU Parliament is one of the parliaments where important matters in the area of climate and environmental protection could be decided. In addition, we are experiencing a return of fascism, which I see as a major threat to our society. At such a moment it is important to protect left-wing organizations.