Originally elected on the Democratic Party (DP) list, Semedo split from the party in early 2021 amidst allegations of bullying. She faced sanctions on two occasions, both for psychological violence against European Parliament staff.
In an interview with our colleagues from RTL.lu, she refrained from delving into these particular details and referred to her lawyer. When asked if she made mistakes, she responded, “when I think about it now, it all happened some time ago after all, I’m not perfect, nor a perfect boss, but above all, I’m a boss with a big heart and a boss who listens. If anything’s wrong, I’m readily available to find solutions to resolve any issues.”
Semedo says she “learned the hard way” how politics work at the European level, but even if she could start all over again, she would not change much.
She asserts, “what I would do differently today? I would do almost nothing differently. I would maintain the same motivation and commitment I had from the beginning and still have – that has brought me significant success.”
Among her achievements, she highlights her contributions to initiatives such as the European minimum wage and quality paid internships for young people.
While she professes to enjoy her work within the Renew Europe parliamentary group, Semedo’s future path remains uncertain, with just nine months remaining in her mandate.
Semedo notes that her past experiences with political parties were not always straightforward, but she emphasises her self-reliance, stating, “I have learned that in the end, I can only trust myself, and I trust myself to find my way, whether in politics or elsewhere.”
In the upcoming months, Semedo’s primary focus will be her work, which promises to be demanding.
Her key priorities and challenges include advocating for a more socially inclusive Europe, striving to eliminate inequalities, and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, skin colour, or religion, enjoys equal opportunities in life.
Semedo, who has a visible disability that has become more pronounced in recent years, underscores the importance of integrating people with disabilities into society.
In addition, she is committed to the fight against racism and for greater diversity, urging EU institutions to set a positive example.
She points out that only 5% of the 705 MEPs come from diverse racial backgrounds, which inadequately reflects the diversity of Europe. She calls for proactive measures to increase diversity within Parliament and align with the European Union’s motto of “United in Diversity.”
Ultimately, Semedo is keen to observe how EU member states will implement the European Action Plan against Racism in the coming years.
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