Rada Stefanova Laykova is a prominent Bulgarian politician, currently serving as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). She was elected in 2024 and represents the Vazrazhdane party (Revival) in the European Parliament. With a diverse academic and professional background, Laykova brings a wealth of experience to her political role, particularly in European affairs.
Current Political Role and Key Achievements
Rada Laykova is actively involved in various key political committees within the European Parliament:
- Member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON)
- Substitute Member of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
- Member of the Europe of Sovereign Nations Group
Her appointment to these influential committees showcases her commitment to shaping European policy, particularly in economic, market regulation, and consumer protection matters.
Political Party Affiliation and Country
- Political Party: Vazrazhdane (Revival)
- Country: Bulgaria
As a representative of the Vazrazhdane party, Laykova aligns with the party’s ideology and objectives within the broader European framework.
Educational and Professional Background
Rada Laykova’s academic journey and professional experiences have provided her with deep insights into European politics and business law. Her qualifications include:
- Master’s in European Studies from Humboldt University of Berlin
- Master’s in European Business Law from European University Viadrina
Before her role in the European Parliament, Laykova spent six years in the German Bundestag, where she served as a senior advisor for European affairs to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) parliamentary group. This position gave her extensive exposure to the workings of European institutions, laying a solid foundation for her current responsibilities.
Her unique combination of political experience and educational achievements positions her as an influential figure in European legislative processes.
Personal Background
Birthdate and Birthplace
Rada Stefanova Laykova was born on 3 April 1990 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Education and Qualifications
Rada Laykova has an impressive academic background, with two master’s degrees in fields related to European politics and law:
- Master’s degree in European Studies from Humboldt University of Berlin
- Master’s degree in European Business Law from European University Viadrina
These qualifications helped her gain a deep understanding of European political systems, international law, and business, forming the foundation for her professional and political endeavors.
Professional Career Before Entering Politics
Before venturing into politics, Rada Laykova built an extensive career in the German Bundestag, which spanned six years. Key highlights include:
- Position: Senior advisor for European affairs
- Affiliation: Worked with the parliamentary group of Alternative for Germany (AfD)
- Focus: Her work was primarily centered around European political and legal affairs. She played a key role in advising on policies related to the European Union and was involved in shaping legislative discussions from a European perspective.
Her experience in the German parliamentary system, combined with her academic credentials, enabled her to develop expertise in European affairs, positioning her for success in her future political career. This experience eventually led to her election as a Member of the European Parliament in 2024.
Political Career
Rada Stefanova Laykova embarked on her political career by joining the Revival (Vazrazhdane) party, marking her entry into national politics with her candidacy in the 2024 European Parliament elections. She successfully garnered significant attention and support, which culminated in her election as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) on 16 July 2024, where she began representing Bulgaria at the European level.
Milestones in Her Political Journey
- Entry into Politics: Rada Laykova entered politics through the Revival (Vazrazhdane) party, where she first appeared on the national stage in the 2024 European Parliament elections.
- European Parliament Election: On 16 July 2024, she was elected as a Member of the European Parliament, solidifying her position in Bulgaria’s political landscape.
- Growth within the European Parliament: Her political trajectory within the Parliament was swiftly marked by key committee roles and affiliations.
Key Roles Held
- Member of the Europe of Sovereign Nations Group: Laykova became a member of this group on 16 July 2024, aligning with other like-minded MEPs focused on sovereignty and national interests within the European Union.
- Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON): Since 19 July 2024, Laykova has been an active member of the ECON committee. This committee plays a central role in shaping the economic and monetary policies of the European Union.
- Substitute Member of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection: As of 19 July 2024, Laykova also serves as a substitute member of this committee, contributing to discussions around the internal market and ensuring consumer protection within the EU.
Additional Political Affiliations
- Delegation Member for Relations with Southeast Asian Countries and ASEAN: Laykova joined this delegation on 19 September 2024, fostering diplomatic ties and cooperation between the European Union and Southeast Asia.
- Substitute Member in the Delegation for Relations with Central Asia: Since 3 October 2024, Laykova has served as a substitute member of this delegation, enhancing the EU’s diplomatic relations with Central Asian countries.
- Substitute in the Delegation for Relations with the United States: From 19 September to 2 October 2024, she also participated as a substitute member of the delegation tasked with strengthening EU-U.S. relations.
Notable Parliamentary Activities
- Shadow Rapporteur on Economic Dossiers: Rada Laykova has held a prominent role as a shadow rapporteur on several significant economic issues. Her work has focused on:
- Establishment of the Digital Euro: Laykova contributed to the discussions and planning for the introduction of a digital euro, a key initiative aimed at modernizing Europe’s monetary system.
- Provision of Digital Euro Services: As part of her role, she worked on provisions regarding the operational aspects of the digital euro.
- Legal Tender of Euro Banknotes and Coins: Laykova’s involvement in discussions around the legal status of euro banknotes and coins further cemented her focus on economic policies.
- European Deposit Insurance Scheme (EDIS): She played a critical role in the discussions surrounding the establishment of a European deposit insurance scheme, which seeks to safeguard depositors’ money across the EU.
Background and Influence in European Affairs
Rada Laykova’s political career is deeply intertwined with her background in European studies. This expertise, along with her previous experience in the German Bundestag, has equipped her with the knowledge and insights necessary to navigate and influence European political dynamics effectively. Her focus on economic matters, particularly those related to the European monetary system, aligns with her broader goals of shaping the EU’s future economic framework and enhancing cooperation between European nations and other global powers.
Political Career
Rada Stefanova Laykova began her political career as a member of the Revival (Vazrazhdane) party, gaining attention during the 2024 European Parliament elections. Her political influence grew significantly when she was elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing Bulgaria on 16 July 2024.
Key Milestones in Rada Laykova’s Political Journey
- Election to the European Parliament: On 16 July 2024, Rada Laykova was successfully elected to the European Parliament, marking a significant step in her political career.
- Rise to Prominence: Her entry into national politics was fueled by her association with the Revival (Vazrazhdane) party, known for its platform focused on national sovereignty and conservative European values.
Key Political Roles and Memberships
Rada Laykova’s political career in the European Parliament has been marked by several important roles and committee memberships:
- Member of the Europe of Sovereign Nations Group
Since 16 July 2024, Rada Laykova has been a member of this group, aligning with others who emphasize national sovereignty within the European Union. - Member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON)
Laykova has been a member of ECON since 19 July 2024, where she works on economic policy, banking, and financial regulations at the European level. - Substitute Member of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
Since 19 July 2024, Rada Laykova has also served as a substitute member, engaging with issues concerning the internal market of the European Union and consumer rights.
Additional Political Affiliations
Rada Laykova holds several important positions related to international relations and diplomatic affairs:
- Delegation Member for Relations with Southeast Asian Countries and ASEAN
She became a member of this delegation on 19 September 2024, fostering ties between the European Parliament and Southeast Asian nations. - Substitute in the Delegation for Relations with Central Asia
Laykova has been a substitute member of this delegation since 3 October 2024, contributing to discussions on Central Asia’s political and economic dynamics. - Substitute in the Delegation for Relations with the United States
From 19 September to 2 October 2024, she served as a substitute in the delegation, enhancing European-U.S. relations.
Notable Parliamentary Activities
Rada Laykova has been involved in several important legislative activities during her time in the European Parliament:
- Shadow Rapporteur on Economic Dossiers
As a shadow rapporteur, she has worked on key economic topics, helping shape policy on significant financial matters, including:- Establishment of the Digital Euro: Contributing to the development of the European Union’s digital currency project.
- Provision of Digital Euro Services: Playing a role in the legislative discussions surrounding the services necessary for the operation of a digital euro.
- Legal Tender of Euro Banknotes and Coins: Involved in debates around the future of traditional currency in the European monetary system.
- European Deposit Insurance Scheme (EDIS): Participating in the discussions related to creating a unified deposit insurance scheme to protect European bank deposits.
Focus on European Affairs
Rada Laykova’s political career has been deeply intertwined with European issues, thanks to her extensive background in European studies and prior experience in the German Bundestag. Her experience in European governance has allowed her to advocate for the integration of national sovereignty and economic policy within the framework of European Union governance.
Current Role in the European Parliament
Rada Stefanova Laykova serves as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), actively engaging in shaping key policy discussions that impact both the European Union and her home country of Bulgaria.
Committee Memberships
- Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) – Full Member
- As a full member of the ECON Committee, Laykova participates in discussions regarding the European economy, monetary policy, financial regulation, and the stability of the eurozone.
- Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) – Substitute Member
- In her role as a substitute member of the IMCO Committee, Laykova supports the development of policies related to the internal market, consumer rights, digital services, and product safety.
- Delegation for relations with Southeast Asian countries and ASEAN (DASE) – Delegation Member
- Laykova is involved in fostering relations between the European Union and Southeast Asian countries, contributing to strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with ASEAN nations.
Key Legislative Focus Areas
Rada Stefanova Laykova’s legislative priorities reflect her commitment to protecting national sovereignty and advocating for Bulgaria’s interests within the European Union.
- Preserving the Bulgarian Lev
- A vocal advocate for maintaining the Bulgarian Lev, Laykova is actively engaged in opposing the adoption of the euro in Bulgaria. She argues for preserving the national currency to safeguard the economic and financial stability of the country.
- Challenging EU Establishment Policies
- Laykova consistently questions the establishment policies of the European Union, aiming to ensure that decisions made in Brussels do not undermine the interests of individual member states, especially Bulgaria.
- Promoting a “Sovereign Nations” Approach to European Governance
- Laykova advocates for a European Union that respects the sovereignty of its member states, proposing a governance model that balances national interests with European cooperation.
- Emphasizing National Interests in European Legislative Processes
- She prioritizes the protection of Bulgaria’s national interests in the European legislative processes, focusing on policies that directly affect her country’s economy, sovereignty, and citizens.
Notable Parliamentary Activities
Laykova has been involved in several key legislative and political actions within the European Parliament:
- Preparing a Resolution to Preserve the Bulgarian Lev
- She is preparing a formal resolution to preserve the Bulgarian Lev as the national currency, aiming to prevent the adoption of the euro without public consensus.
- Raising the Issue of a National Referendum on Currency at the EU Level
- Laykova has called for a national referendum in Bulgaria to decide on the currency issue, ensuring that the citizens have a direct say in whether to adopt the euro.
- Opposing Ursula von der Leyen’s Re-election as European Commission President
- She actively opposed the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as the European Commission President, reflecting her eurosceptic stance and belief in the need for change within EU leadership.
- Contributing to Debates on Key EU Issues
- EU Demographic Challenges
- Laykova engages in discussions around Europe’s demographic trends, emphasizing the need for policies that address population decline and its economic impact.
- European Economic Competitiveness
- She contributes to debates aimed at improving the EU’s economic competitiveness, focusing on fostering innovation and boosting job creation across member states.
- Green Deal Policy Impact Assessments
- Laykova participates in assessing the impacts of the Green Deal, particularly on sectors such as agriculture and energy, where she expresses concerns about the economic consequences for countries like Bulgaria.
- EU Demographic Challenges
Political Stance
Rada Stefanova Laykova positions herself as a eurosceptic but pro-European politician, prioritizing national interests while still supporting the overall European project.
- Protecting Bulgarian National Interests
- Central to her political approach is ensuring that Bulgaria’s interests are not overlooked within the broader EU framework. This includes advocating for economic policies that benefit Bulgaria and protect its sovereignty.
- Challenging Centralized EU Decision-Making
- She stands against the centralization of power within EU institutions, advocating for greater autonomy for member states in key policy areas such as taxation, defense, and social policies.
- Promoting Transparency in European Parliamentary Processes
- Laykova emphasizes the need for greater transparency in EU decision-making, seeking to ensure that the public is better informed about legislative processes and the impact of EU laws on national governments.
- Representing the Interests of Bulgarian Citizens
- As a representative of Bulgaria, Laykova is committed to ensuring that the concerns and aspirations of her fellow citizens are well-represented at the European level.
Communication Strategy
Laykova places a strong emphasis on direct communication with her constituents to ensure that Bulgarian citizens are well-informed about her work in the European Parliament.
- Informing the Bulgarian Public About EU Activities
- She is dedicated to educating the public about the legislative activities and policies being discussed in Brussels, focusing on how they affect Bulgaria.
- Providing Direct Communication About Legislative Initiatives
- Laykova ensures that her legislative initiatives and actions are clearly communicated to the Bulgarian public, particularly those that have direct implications for the country’s economy, legal framework, and national interests.
- Europe of Sovereign Nations Parliamentary Group
- Laykova is part of the newly formed Europe of Sovereign Nations group, which seeks to promote a vision of Europe that respects the autonomy of its member states while encouraging cooperation on shared challenges.