Volt’s Nela Riehl wins Best Newcomer at European Parliament Awards

Nela Riehl, a Member of the European Parliament for Volt, was named Best Newcomer at the annual MEP Awards held in Brussels. Sitting with the Greens/EFA group, she currently chairs the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT), positioning her as one of the most prominent new voices in the institution.

At the 2025 MEP Awards, organised by The Parliament magazine, eight categories were presented. Alongside Riehl’s win as Best Newcomer, PL MEP Thomas Bajada was also named Best Newcomer in the same category.

Riehl emphasises that she sees the award as recognition for her entire team. “Our party grew significantly in the European elections, and we had to build a completely new structure in Brussels. Today, we have a real delegation with motivated people from all over Europe who fight for our political vision every day. Without my team, none of this would be possible. So this recognition goes to all of us. But we don’t do politics to win prizes, we do it to create real change.”

The award also highlights representation. Riehl is one of only a few MEPs of colour among 720, underscoring the need for greater gender balance and broader diversity in European politics. This remains a daily challenge and part of the goal for a truly representative European democracy.

About Nela Riehl

Before her election in 2024, Riehl (39) worked as a teacher in Hamburg. She secured one of Volt’s five seats in the European Parliament and now focuses on youth rights, workers’ protection, and a feminist approach to foreign policy. She lives in Brussels with her family.