Ria Schröder (FDP): "I think everything is going so slowly in politics"
Ria is 25, lawyer, direct candidate in Hamburg-Eimsbüttel, list position 4 of the FDP state list, member of the national executive committee of the FDP and deputy national chairman of the young liberals.
F Mag: Ria, wieso are you just in the FDP?
I like the human image of the FDP. I believe that every person can make something out of his life and only need help to develop his talents. I share that optimism and belief in the people the FDP stands for.
Does that mean that we no longer need social benefits, when everyone can develop their own talents?
No. First, people can not do that in reality; secondly, such a human image does not imply this conclusion. An advantage of a functioning economy with a strong start-up scene is that we can afford social benefits!
People come in situations where they need help. But to simply shed them off with money, such as an unconditional basic income, I think is not right. You have to help them on their feet so that they can cope on their own.
Which topic is so important to you, that you are in the FDP for that?
Education! I think we would be able to get rid of 90 percent of all problems if every child had the best education.
Do you really think our education system is so bad?
It is definitely unfair. It helps to make rich people richer and poorer and poorer. It can not be that children inherit the bad grades from their parents.
School has to prepare for life, and it does not do that at the moment. If you can not ask your parents for advice after school, you're in for a lot of questions.
What needs to change in education?
We would first have to lift the ban on cooperation and gradually reduce federalism in education. On the other hand, individual schools need more autonomy.
For example, I could imagine a model in which a school, in addition to the principal, who has mainly didactical and technical skills, has a manager who is responsible for keeping the technological equipment up to date.
We also need to re-engineer to enable people to have lifelong learning. The times when you graduated at the age of 16 and then never see a school from the inside are just over.
I have the feeling that everything is going so slowly in politics.
Which three things would you like to change?
Legalize cannabis, abolish license fee, free shop opening hours for Sundays.
What would be your dream job in politics?
Chancellor! No, that was fun. It's just that: I really would like to change something! And I have the feeling that everything is going so slowly in politics. I do not want to do politics all my life. I just want every public school to be as good as you imagine an expensive private school, and then I go back to my job.
Do you wish for the FDP a place in the government or in the opposition for the next four years?
Opposition would probably be better for the FDP. As we enter a governing coalition as the smaller party, I worry that our program is not implementing enough. That's exactly what broke our neck at the last election and after our last participation in the government. So I would say: Government, please, only if much of what we want is done.
On the other hand, I can not seriously wish for a grand coalition and an extension of the stalemate. I find this question very difficult.
Dear Ria, thank you for the interview!
