Medical student Lore is the youngest female candidate for the Dutch Parliament
“I want to stand up for the younger generation.”
Lore Eckelmans studies Medicine and is the youngest female candidate in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Ever since high school, she has loved debating. With her candidacy for Volt, she wants to bring more attention to issues that affect her generation – such as inequality and the growing number of young people leaving Limburg. What is it like for her to sit in lectures in the morning and then spend the afternoon campaigning in The Hague?
Debate champion
Lore’s interest in politics started at an early age. At fifteen, she joined the debating society at her high school in Gouda. “I was one of the few girls there, but I absolutely loved it. We took part in tournaments across the country and even won the Benelux Debate Competition.”
Still, Lore did not choose to study politics. She applied for four different programmes, ranging from International Business to Medicine. During the selection process, however, she became so enthusiastic about Medicine that she decided to pursue it wholeheartedly. “Problem-Based Learning really suits me. You learn through discussion and collaboration. It is actually quite similar to debating.”
Civil council member in Maastricht
Since her first year at university, Lore has been serving as a civil council member in the municipality of Maastricht. “I had just turned eighteen and had voted for Volt in the European elections. During the INKOM Week, I came across a Volt stand and started chatting with a few of the council members there. Later, I joined one of them for a meeting. Two months after that, I got a phone call: one of the civil members was stepping down, would I be interested to take over? I was pleasantly surprised. And of course, I was interested.”
In January, Lore was officially sworn in as a civil council member. “As civil council member, I do not have voting rights, but I do have an important role. We review all policy documents before they are presented to the council,” she explains. Lore focuses on the domains of economy and culture. “The meetings often run late into the evening, sometimes from five to eleven. But I find the work fascinating, so I really enjoy doing it.”
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Taking on The Hague
When the government collapsed last year, Lore began to feel the urge to get involved at a national level. “I was getting disheartened by the political situation,” she admits. “So when Volt opened its selection process for the parliamentary candidate list, I thought: why not give it a try? Being number 32 on the list now feels really special.”
Since her nomination, Lore has been taking the train from Maastricht to The Hague (and back) several times a week. “Every Saturday we have a training day with all Volt candidates. We discuss topics like political debating, dealing with the media, and social media strategies. In addition, I sometimes give interviews and we hand out flyers on weekends.” In the meantime, Lore remains realistic: “My studies come first. I keep checking what is manageable, so that my studies do not suffer.”
Students at Maastricht University do more than just study. UM encourages its students to make time for their passions, hobbies, and other special activities alongside their degree programmes. In this series of stories, UM students share how they combine their studies with inspiring side projects. Ranging from art and sports to entrepreneurship and social engagement.
Planning, planning, planning
How does Lore manage to combine it all? “Planning, planning, and more planning,” she says with a smile. “For example, on Thursdays I have lectures until half past ten. After that, I take the train to The Hague. On the train, I work on my studies, and in the evening I prepare for an interview or a campaign video. Sometimes it is a lot, but it also gives me energy.”
Minister of Health
As for what she wants to do in the future, Lore is not entirely sure yet. “Becoming a doctor sounds amazing, but politics appeals to me too. Being Minister of Health would be the perfect combination,” she says with a smile.
Text: Romy Veul
Photography: Joris Hilterman
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Medical student Lore is the youngest female candidate for the Dutch Parliament
Lore Eckelmans studies Medicine and is the youngest female candidate in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
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