Validating Council
Some decisions transcend the Coordinating Collective’s coordination role. As these decisions will often need to be validated quickly, it will not be possible to mobilise the entire DiEM25 membership to vote within a tight deadline. For this purpose, a Validating Council composed of 100 DiEM25 members selected by sortition from all members is instituted. To learn more about DiEM25’s Validating Council (VC), please visit the movement’s Organising Principles.
According to the new Organising Principles, any DiEM25 member with voting rights (i.e. verified identity, up-to-date membership fee) can be randomly picked for the Validating Council at any time. You do not need to apply anymore.
The following people form our current Validating Council:
| Thomas Abel-Wolf | Germany | I am Thomas, 48, and a teacher from Germany. Convinced of the rightness and importance of our movement, I am looking forward to the task. |
| Natalie Agostinis | Germany | I am Natalie, 44 years old, from Nuremberg in Germany. I am a technical writer and mother-of-three. I believe that saving the eco system must not mean sacrifice for the many and business as usual for the few. |
| Artoghrul Alishbayli | Netherlands | |
| Beatrice Annese | Italy | |
| Manuel Barreiro Baru | Germany | Uruguayan-German citizen. Lived and worked in 4 different countries. Trying to make a contribution for a better Europe. |
| Grzegorz Bieniek | Germany | Freiberufler aus Düsseldorf, seit Anfang 2023 Mitglied bei Diem und Mitorganisator der Lokalgruppe Düsseldorf. |
| Jürgen Brogsitter | Germany | |
| Louise Brunette | Canada | |
| João Caldas | Germany | Music teacher from Lisbon. In Struggle, with joy and anger. |
| GIUSEPPE CERAMELLI | Italy | |
| Lilia Christova | Bulgaria | Biomedical engineer. Speaking Bulgarian, Russian, English and Greek. Team worker. |
| vasco Costa | Portugal | Eu VC, sou artista plástico, operando no campo da cultura, da interação social e da ação direta. A atenção acordada sobre a informação recolhida, desde a rua, literatura contemporânea e na observação direta, sinalizam poderes! Promovendo um activismo! |
| Chris Davis | Britain | I recently retired. For the past 30 years I have been a psychiatric social worker and a trade union rep. I have been active in anti-racist and anti-capitalist organisations and campaigns throughout my adult life. |
| Denise Demirbas | Germany | |
| Diedrik De Mits | Belgium | My name is Diedrik, I am an IT Freelancer, with a family, who wants to make a change for the present and the future. |
| Yanic Dollhopf | Germany | I’m a student of history and political science at the Univeristy of Freiburg, Germany. Together with two friends I founded the local DiEM25 chapter in Freiburg in November 2022. My main interest right now is building connections to local groups in Freiburg to establish DiEM25 as a well-known and growing organization. |
| Barbara Edmonds | France | I am a British citizen now retired, residing in France. I believe passionately in a democratic Europe and endorse the principles of DiEM25. I am a MSc in Policy Studies and hold a professional physiotherapy qualification. |
| Cristina Escarmis Homs | Spain | Nací en Barcelona el 6 de agosto de 1943. Soy científica jubilada. Pertenezco a diferentes asociaciones políticas nacionales de izquierdas. |
| Jan Feist | Germany | I'm honoured to have been chosen by the algorithm - happy to take this role in the VC. |
| Julia Ferro | France | Hi everyone ! Born and raised in the Alps, I live in Paris for more than 20 years. Freelancer, my job is to make press review, a great way to stay tuned with the news ;) Otherwise, I enjoy a lot climbing and reading. |
| Mimi Filova | Germany | biophysics master's student from Gevgelija, Macedonia. talk to me about the balkans, queer culture, disability politics, online detox and visions of our future |
| Leon Filter | Germany | |
| Corinna Franchino | Italy | I am a 50 year old psychologist with a very strong interest in politics. I have been dealing with translations, writing and proofreading of texts, documents and videos of the main EU agencies since 2008. |
| EDOARDO GENTILE | Italy | I'm 54 years old, italian and I'm a neurologist. My political experience began when I was 16 years old in the Italian Communist Party, then in the Communist Refounding Party as a militant and as an elected in my city. From November 2022, when we built the party in Italt, I'm a member of Mera25 Italt. |
| Meera Ghani | Belgium | As a muslim immigrant and a woman on colour with disabilities (hence at the intersection of many marginalised identities) I want a Europe that is inclusive -where its democracy is participatory and its justice transformative. |
| Pascale Gillet | Belgium | I am a socialist. And I still have hope!... maybe because the new generation cares about the planet and they've understood that we won't survive as a species if we continue in this system of production and exploitation. I'm bilingual French / English, I have both nationalities. I'm learning Chinese. I do hope the EU will change, will get more transparent, more democratic, but I'm not holding my breath. I believe the worst people in the world are those who profit from wars. I think one of the best humans alive is Jeremy Corbyn. |
| Tarja Hallavainio | Finland | Greetings from Finland! I am a professional in the field of education. I want to promote the realization of a more equal world, the preservation and improvement of the environment and climate. I value good cooperation and expert networks. I don't value anyone's pursuit of their own interests, but equality. |
| Creag Hayes | Germany | Although originally from the US, I have been living in Europe since 1997, 25 years in Prague, now Berlin. I established the Czech branch of Democrats Abroad in 2004 and chaired the group for 6 years. I joined DiEM25 in 2018. Prior to moving to Prague, I owned and managed two retail bicycle shops in Portland OR. |
| Alexander Herz | Germany | I am easily convinced by good arguments, but not at all by bad ones. I want to hear both sides of the story and do not accept to exclude people from the debate because someone claims they have property x and are thus excluded. I do not own the truth and I am open to the possibility that I am wrong and expect you to do the same. |
| Audrey Hogan | France | |
| David Houliston | Britain | UK based semi-retired counselling trainee looking for a better Europe and a better world. |
| Lorenzo Huskamp | Germany | Student of Cultural Studies, Anthropology, Marxism and Critical Theory. Background in filmmaking. Working experiences in the fields of media, communication, journalism and cultural organisation/curating. Left by heart. German/Italian roots. Convinced European. Pro animal rights. Human after all. |
| silvia iessi | Italy | |
| Sabine Karwath | Germany | Hi. My name is Bine,44, and I live in a small town in East Germany. Together with my girlfriend and our children. (18,15, 8, 5) I think, that a democratic EU is not an option. It's nessesary! |
| Ariane Kovacevic | Belgium | I always find this self-description thingy awkward. So here's what I came up with for my twitter account a long time ago. It still applies...well, mostly, as life is made of chaos: 8 years a union rep. Unashamedly loyal to ideals. TINA? A lie &scam! |
| Pieter Kroon | Netherlands | first adapter, non-conformist, post-materialist, cosmopolitan. into nature, science, technology, progressive web apps |
| Melanie Kutschera | Germany | I am an Actress, Translator and aspiring Film and Theatre Maker living in Berlin. I believe in Activism through Art and Change through Action and I know we need big changes in this world |
| Mark Langdon | Britain | I am a DIEM25 member living in Glasgow Scotland. I work in the field of Community Education in an HE institution and have a range of activist roles including building a radical municipalism movement across Glasgow. I am keen to support and develop innovative approaches to developing radical democratic citizenship. |
| ÓSCAR LOMBA ÁLVAREZ | Spain | Graduated in Law from the University of Vigo and Graduated in Teaching from the University of Santiago de Compostela. Social activist. I currently work in the Galician Health Service in Vigo (Pontevedra) Galiza. |
| Ramona Luczynski | Germany | |
| Silvio Marx | Germany | I am a landscape ecologist from Germany and music producer in my off time. |
| Asma Mechakra | Switzerland | |
| Silvia Missaglia | Italy | Hi. I'm Silvia, a 27 years old architect living in Milan. I am very interested in politics, geopolitics and economics also in relation to my architect job. Very happy to help and get more involved in Diem25. |
| Marsel Moliko | Greece | Hi, I'm Marsel, 31, I live in Athens. I've traveled the world and am currently studying International Relations while working as a technical support agent. As a proud member of DiEM25, I strongly believe that Europe must be democratized to avoid disintegration. |
| ZIN ZAR YEE MON | Germany | I am an agricultural economist living in Germany. My interest lies in sustainability, food security and climate change. I am originally from Myanmar (Burma) but have been living in Germany for a long time. I speak English, German and Burmese. I will try my best to fulfill my duties. |
| Ulrike Müller | Germany | Medical professional, believing in human rights and international humanitarian law for everybody. |
| Mallika Muralidharan | Germany | Hi there! I’m a student in Munich, originally from India. I was politically active in my home country, and wish to continue my journey with DiEM25. I am deeply interested in anti-imperialism and justice for the Global South. |
| Stephanie Nichols | Greece | I am a Greek woman worried about the future, Είμαι μια Ελληνίδα που ανησυχεί για το μέλλον. |
| William O'Dwyer | Ireland | Hello, my name is William, I am a history student at university. Strong supporter of a more transparent and democratic Europe and a union-wide Green New Deal. Hope to be of help to the movement. |
| Caitríona O’Mahony | Ireland | I am a musician and arts worker from Ireland. |
| Romina Paehrisch | Germany | |
| Kostas Papazachariou | Britain | |
| Heidi Paredes | Portugal | I am a Portuguese resident, feminist activist, originally from Mexico, studied in Germany, lived 23 years in Israel/Palestine, work with civil society organizations. 50 years old. |
| Pau Pérez Olmos | Spain | |
| Μatina Potiri | Greece | |
| Tonči Radmilović | Croatia | I am 75 years old retiree. I lean to the left (politically), but I am fully aware of sorry state of the European "left" and everything that sells as left nowdays. |
| Jonas Rammasi-Laursen | Denmark | |
| Yiannis Ravanis | Britain | I am a 28 year old Greek living in the UK working in software engineering. |
| Sean Reddin | Ireland | Hi. I am a 64 year-old man and have travelled, lived and worked all over Europe in various enterprises including a newspaper distribution business in Spain, a boutique in Scotland, construction work in Holland, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Spain and Slovakia and have also been a language teacher in Spain and Italy. Currently I am semi-retired. I am appalled at the way the world is going, particularly with regard to the housing crisis which I feel has mainly been caused by our corporate overlords and their vulture funds moving into every country globally and buying up all the housing stock to rent out at extortionate rents which any worker on an average salary is unable to afford. Add in the likes of AirBnB and you have a recipe for disaster. I feel that current governments are not taking this issue seriously enough as they are in the pockets of the corporate imperialists and soon (if not already) Europe is going to see similar high levels of homelessness as seen on the streets of the USA. That's my rant for today over. |
| Sérgio António Reis Sousa | Portugal | |
| Ludovico Rella | Italy | Sono un dottorando in Geografia all'Università di Durham, nel Regno Unito, e membro del Partito Laburista. Sono membro di organizzazioni politiche e studentesche dal 2003, e credo fortemente nella costituzione di un fronte politico internazionalista. |
| xenia ricart | Britain | |
| Linda Richter | Germany | 28 year old environmental engineer working in decentralized (waste)water infrastructure, spent my first 18 years in a tiny village in the German countryside then explored what's outside. Kinda here because of the latest book by Vincent Bevens. Amazed by the diversity of the VC and motivated for what's coming! |
| Martin Roger | Britain | |
| Henrik Sander | Germany | I´m an self-employed middleaged man with family and interested in democratic development. Member of attac and other groups. So i think it will be the best to take part of this Validating council too. |
| Tuuli Sauren | Germany | Hi, I'm Tuuli, Art Director/Activist from Europe, with a cosmopolitan mindset. I believe in engaging local communities, from Europe to Global South, in decision making and giving the population a final say in matters concerning them. I am passionate about indigenous peoples rights to self-determination, their land rights against foreign governments exploitation (through FTA’s and fake climate solutions like Carbon credits) and corporate land grabbing. I believe value creation is not in financial gains, the contrary, it can, and should be measured what value the policy, solution, initiative or project brought to the community. Special causes I care about: implementing people power, freedom of Palestine and fight against corruption and impunity in global scale. Thank you, algorithm, for choosing me. I accept the position with pleasure. |
| Nenad Savic | Germany | I am Nenad Savic, psychologist live in work in tech in Berlin. I am interested in the effect emerging technologies have on our mental wellbeing and societies. I originally come from the Balkans, so have strong interest how politics develops there and what role do the EU and its institutions play. |
| Laura Schiavetta | France | Physiotherapist and multi-curious woman, I strongly believe our european and global way of life must be think over deeply, happy to help DiEM25 to function properly and to continue to ask the fundamental questions and give thorough answers. |
| Jan-Henrick Schröder | Germany | Triple Dad, Handyworker, Love cooking and gardening. Near Hanover, 40 years old, |
| Joris Seibert | Germany | I am a physics student from Berlin, interested in maximizing each person’s happiness on this earth. |
| Johannes Seidel | Germany | Dear fellow members, my name is Johannes Seidel and I´m 35 years old. I currently live in Potsdam (Germany) with my daughter, aged 6. My profession is drumming but at present I earn a living as an assistant to a person with physical disabilities. I am looking for new ideas that concern militant optimism to fight the ghosts of the future. Thank you! |
| Paul Simmons | Britain | |
| Sarah Streim | Netherlands | I believe in equity of all and that the current democratic representatives are failing it. I truly believe that DiEM25/MeRA25 are creating the path of true democracy in Europe, and feel thus very honoured to support this unique movement (in a horrifying presence of fascist European), with the best of my capacity. |
| Geert Van Opstal | Netherlands | Grandfather, 68 years, who believes in a strong Europe, based on solidarity. Themes: basic income for all European citizens, climate, and fair taxes (from income to fortune and of course for the multi nationals). |
| Tommaso Maria Verri | Switzerland | |
| Laura Vialon | Britain | I am Laura, German national living in the UK (London) since 2019. After having worked in private practice, I came to be a Lecturer by chance, I am now soon embarking on an academic pathway to do my PhD – scrutinising the undemocratic nature of the joint stock company. I feel honoured to be part of the VC and look forward to participating in shaping DiEM25's future. |
| Wouter Vlaminckx | Belgium | I work for the Belgian Immigration Office, single parent with 3 kids, even before the creation of Diem25 already an active advocate of real democracy, as opposed to profit as a guiding principle. |
| Vanja Wüster | Germany | Hello, my name is Vanja. I am 45 years old and live in Waldshut, a town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. I work in finance at a nonprofit organization that provides digital education and mentoring for displaced people and migrants. I am married, and originally come from Bosnia and Herzegovina. |
| Kaya Yazgan | Türkiye | I live in Ankara, Turkey and took initiative in the Translation and Peace groups of DiEM25. |
| Δημήτρης Αγιομυργιαννάκης | Greece | |
| Θεοδώρα Θεοδωροπούλου | Greece | I am Greek and I live in Greece experiencing the economic crisis and the changes in professional rights which are reminiscent of the Middle Ages. From the perspective of trade unionism, I am trying to do my bit so that these rights of ours are not completely abolished. I am present in all struggles for equality and justice. I am a mother of two and I work in the public sector while also teaching English and Spanish. |
| ΚΑΤΙΑ ΙΩΑΝΝΟΥ | Cyprus | Retired. Has been working in the private sector as export director. |
| Γεωργία Κιρκιλέση | Greece | I live in Athens, Greece, 58 years old, veterinarian. DiEM25 and MERA25 are a very interesting experiment, I like being a part of it, hopefully we will have a positive impact on the dark ages we are living in. |
| Κωνσταντίνος Μαρασλής | Greece | |
| Αντώνης Μελάκης | Greece | |
| Μαρία Μπρακούλια | Greece | |
| Χρήστος Παναγιωτόπουλος | Greece | Engineer and researcher with a belief in personal and social autonomy. I used to have a few moments of optimism, thinking that things can get better. |
| Μαρία Σόφτση | Greece | Ed-Member of Central Committee of MeRA25, ex-member of political secretariat ,Greece from October 2020 till May 2022. |