"I've experienced five years marked by ups and downs," Monica Semedo, one of the lead candidates of the FOKUS party for the European elections, shared with our colleagues from RTL Radio on Monday.

Originally elected to the European Parliament in 2019 as a candidate for the Democratic Party (DP), Monica Semedo later left the party after former staff members accused her of harassment and bullying. Subsequently, she has served as an independent MEP and is now seeking re-election under the FOKUS party banner for the upcoming European elections.

Acknowledging the uphill battle of securing a seat in the absence of DP support and in light of past harassment allegations, Semedo recognises the challenges ahead. Despite her "hard work" over the past five years, she feels her contributions have often been overshadowed in the public eye, primarily associated with the aforementioned accusations.

In 2021 and 2023, Semedo faced sanctions from the President of the European Parliament in separate harassment cases, with her appeal against the latter currently pending before the Court of Justice of the European Union. This ongoing legal process has impacted her public image, as indicated by recent polling data. "I can understand that 100%," said the MEP.

Monica Semedo's work at the European Parliament

Reflecting on her tenure, Semedo acknowledged the personal and professional challenges endured. Not only has she had "difficulties with [her] staff, which really hasn't been pleasant for anyone," but she has also suffered a great deal physically. The 39-year-old MEP lost 70% of her sight and now lives with a visual impairment. However, Semedo also emphasised the positive experiences she has had within the European Parliament. Notably, she was entrusted to negotiate the European minimum wage for her parliamentary group, actively advocated for disabled individuals, and served as rapporteur for quality traineeships benefiting young people.

Why vote for Monica Semedo?

"I don't come from a political background or an influential family. I'm the child of a cleaning lady. And I want to pave the way for others so that they too can have a career," Semedo said.

Driven by her personal experiences, Semedo prioritises advocating for individuals from immigrant backgrounds, championing better integration and equal opportunities across all sectors. Drawing from her own struggles, including periods of "earning less than the minimum wage," Semedo said she understands the challenges of financial hardship and aims to amplify the voices of underrepresented social groups within the European Parliament.

"The European Union needs to be reformed"

In alignment with her party, FOKUS, Semedo advocates for significant reforms within the European Union. Key among these proposals is the call for the direct election of the Presidency of the European Commission. Additionally, FOKUS seeks to eliminate the principle of unanimity in the Council to prevent issues from being obstructed by the dissent of a few member states. They also prioritise bolstering common European defence capabilities and increasing investments in renewable energies to combat climate change. Semedo also stressed the importance of implementing a migration policy that facilitates legal entry into the EU.

Recognising the "communication challenges" faced by the European Union, Semedo aims to enhance transparency by highlighting the EU's roles and limitations on a daily basis.

If she is not re-elected to the European Parliament, Monica Semedo nevertheless wishes to maintain her political engagement within the FOKUS party.