5 Minutes With... Niklas Nienass

As one of the youngest members of the European Parliament, Niklas Nienass represents a new wave of leadership in Brussels — principled, digital-savvy, and unafraid to push boundaries. Representing Germany’s Greens/EFA group, he’s known for championing democratic reform, youth empowerment, and space policy (yes, really). In our 5 Minutes With… series, we asked him to reflect on the pressures of public life, the promise of Europe, and what advice he’d pass down to the next generation of leaders.

1. When did Europe last inspire you — or frustrate you?

“The EU’s response to Ukraine has been both: inspiring in its solidarity, frustrating in its delays. The capacity is there — but the courage isn’t always.”

2. What’s one pressure or expectation you think young leaders should ignore?

“That you need to ‘wait your turn.’ Youth is not a weakness. We need young voices at the table — not waiting at the door.”

3. What’s a piece of advice you’d give to the next generation of leaders in Europe?

“Don’t just speak — organise. Politics rewards noise, but progress comes from structure.”

4. What’s your biggest hope for Europe by 2030?

“That we stop thinking of ourselves as 27 countries, and start acting as one democratic union with the people at the centre — not the bureaucracy.”