At 23, Emily Vontz is the youngest member of the Bundestag. She joined the Jusos at the age of 16 and was chairwoman of the Jusos in Saarland before joining the Bundestag. Emily's office, where we conducted the interview, was surrounded by a huge glass front like all the other offices of the members of the Bundestag. It was a strange feeling to be able to look into all the offices just like that. In the office opposite, we could even see Phillip Amthor, who seemed to be looking up the Basic Law, but was in a hurry and disappeared just as quickly.
We learned a lot of interesting things in the interview. She told us what it was like when Heiko Maas called her and how excited she was when she found out that she would be joining the Bundestag. She also told us what it's like to be a young woman in a very "old" Bundestag and what her day-to-day work in the Bundestag looks like. She also gave us some private insights, such as what it's like to be a student as a member of the Bundestag and how you actually get an apartment given the housing market situation in Berlin.
It was also particularly important for us to talk to Emily about the importance of young people in politics and their involvement in our democracy. There are an incredible number of opportunities to get involved, be it in NGOs, political organizations or associations. People work together for change and a better future. For Emily, "Jugend debattiert" was also particularly important, which many will probably know from our school. You discuss all kinds of things and learn to look at the world from a different perspective. Especially at this time, it is important that we don't fight each other, but stick together and listen to each other. For us, it was a unique experience that we won't forget in a hurry.