Emilia Fester, 24, has been in the Bundestag for a year – as the youngest member of parliament. What experiences does the Green woman have in politics?
Interview: Sandra Reitz
She shares a flat with two other members of the Green Party and receives threats after her speeches in the Bundestag. How is Emilia Fester coping with her role as the youngest MP? GALA colleague Sandra Reitz met her in Berlin for an interview.
Sandra Reitz: Are you annoyed by the “youngest member of parliament” label?
Emilia Fester: No of course not! It is sometimes a small burden, but above all a privilege that I can work well with. Of course there is a strong focus on my person and not on the political content, which can also lead to discrimination. Because the whole of Parliament knows that I’m the youngest, I’m often reduced to that.
What prejudices do you face?
I’ve already been referred to as an intern or asked by the security service if I really belong here. There are sayings like: “It’s nice that you are so committed at such a young age”. But it’s not just me: I live with two other young female MPs who have had very similar experiences. Sometimes we joke about writing a book about it someday.
The reactions to your first speech in the Bundestag, on compulsory vaccination, were particularly strong. How badly do comments like “snotty brat” or “ridiculous kid” hurt you?
It would be a lie to say that it doesn’t matter to me if I experience such a shitstorm. But at the same time it is also a sign for me that I am shaking the world of many people, mostly men, with my existence and my visions alone. They somehow feel threatened. It’s not my intention to threaten their world and at the same time that’s exactly the fight I’m fighting: that we stand on equal footing and demand it. If such people then feel attacked, I have obviously said something important and right.
There were even threats against you. Do you sometimes think the price is actually too high?
No, I have something I’m fighting for and I’m doing it with heart and soul. It’s okay if everyone doesn’t love me for it.
How is your contact with the cabinet members?
If I were to make a scale, Christian Lindner would be at the end. I am closest to the left-wing ministers from our party, Claudia Roth, Steffi Lemke, Lisa Paus. I also get along well with Annalena, Robert and I don’t have that many points of contact, Cem and I even less.
Her statement “I sacrifice my youth” also caused a stir …
The quote was taken out of context. It was about how much youthful life is still possible in addition to a mandate. Bottom line, I wanted to say that the life that I am currently leading as an elected official is not compatible with the image of young people that we actually have. Adolescence is a very free phase of life in which we orientate ourselves, what we want to do later, and test our limits. All of this is incompatible with an 80-hour week like the one I have.
Do you work 80 hours?
In session weeks yes, in constituency weeks it’s a little less, then more like a normal full-time job.
And how much do you earn?
We get a diet that is completely public. At the end of the month, including all expenses, living expenses, etc., I have almost 1,000 euros left over that I save. Nevertheless, it is of course a lot of money for the age group in which I move.
What are you saving for?
For life after the mandate. Also, I didn’t grow up in such a wealthy environment, my parents are cultural workers. We didn’t live from hand to mouth, but we had to think about how to go about the next class trip, who do we have to hit if a larger piece of equipment breaks? That’s why I also wanted to support my parents when they get old, because the pensions aren’t that high. And I would also like to make provisions for myself, maybe I would like to study again and then have money to make ends meet, isn’t it nice?
Are you already thinking about life after?
I always have the feeling that I’m still so young and have no idea how much longer this will go on. I make that dependent on whether I still have content that I want to implement and whether I am the right person to implement it.
Members of the Bundestag at 24 – do you sometimes have the feeling that you are in the wrong film?
Sometimes I remember being a politician. If I’ve just played table tennis and a boombox is running behind me after a nice day in the sun with a buddy, I sometimes forget that. Because I’m still just me. There is an exaggeration of politicians, which sometimes happens to me that it occurs to me: “Oh, I’m a member of the Bundestag.”
Can you leave the mandate aside for a moment?
It’s okay. The other day I had a very busy day with a photo shoot, discussions in different groups and an opinion piece. Then I came home and my roommate Saskia and I just watched “High School Musical” (laughs). It was good to gain some distance, just do something nonsensical and let the day be day.
What else relaxes you?
The conversations with my flat share or with my relationship, my team, my mother. I also love to play board games when I have time. Sit down to a gimmick and enjoy this game without thinking about work. I deal so much with paragraphs, texts and black and white that I like meeting real people.
How do you make the world a better place in your personal environment?
Since I’ve had enough money for it, I’ve been careful about the clothes I buy because I hate exploitative work. But I know not everyone can do that. I cannot tell people how to feed and dress unless they have a choice. I’m vegetarian and vegan a lot, I ride my bike. And I like being a good friend.
You recently made it public that you are bisexual. Were there any negative reactions to it?
Apart from the usual suspects, who always comment negatively, I received a lot of encouragement. I think it’s important that we as the Green Group finally have many queer people in Parliament. That we show that there are trans identities that can also have a say. I’m happy to help normalize that and show that it’s part of society and that we should kindly have the same rights as any straight couple.
Would you like to have a family yourself?
I can imagine, yes. I am working on creating a future perspective in which I can do this with a clear conscience.
The interview appeared in the current issue of GALA.