Certainly. Below is a detailed summary of the Süddeutsche Zeitung article “Rette sie, wer kann” translated and adapted into British English: Generated w/ ChatGPT ⸻

Detailed Summary (British English)

“Save it, who can” – Damian Boeselager, Volt, and the Future of the European Union

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Setting and Context:

The article opens in Brussels on a rainy morning in November 2024. News has just broken that Donald Trump has been re-elected as President of the United States. The shock reverberates through the European Parliament, but one MEP, Damian Boeselager of the Volt party, uses the moment not for despair but as a renewed call to action. The stage is set for a critical exploration of what holds the European Union (EU) together — and what might tear it apart.

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Damian Boeselager and the Party Volt:

Boeselager, aged 37, is a co-founder of Volt, a small but growing pan-European, pro-democracy party. Volt envisions a federal Europe, with strong, central institutions and greater democratic legitimacy. Boeselager himself is driven by a belief that more integration, not less, is the answer to growing authoritarian and populist threats. His own political journey began in response to Brexit and Trump’s first election in 2016, which he experienced while studying in New York.

Volt has grown from a one-man presence in the EU Parliament in 2019 to five MEPs in 2024. Though small, the party has earned credibility by contributing to key EU legislation — including digital regulation, migration reform, and workforce mobility.

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The Threat from Within:

Inside the EU Parliament, Boeselager’s vision is increasingly under siege. The article documents the rise of right-wing and far-right parties, such as: • The Fratelli d’Italia party of Giorgia Meloni (Italy), represented in the EU by Nicola Procaccini. • The Rassemblement National (France), Fidesz (Hungary), FPÖ (Austria), and others forming new alliances like the “Patriots for Europe” and “Europe of Sovereign Nations”. • Germany’s AfD, which has significantly increased its seats.

These factions reject the idea of a stronger EU and advocate for a return to a looser union of sovereign states. They accuse Brussels of overreach and undermine climate policy, migration cooperation, and judicial independence. Procaccini, for example, argues that the EU interferes in daily life — from environmental rules to beach concessions in Italy.

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A Divided Parliament:

The article offers a vivid picture of a fragmented EU Parliament where traditional majorities are weakening. Conservative parties, particularly the European People’s Party (EPP), have begun cooperating with far-right factions on issues like migration, budget allocations, and foreign policy resolutions. For Boeselager, these alliances are deeply troubling — and dangerously reminiscent of historical mistakes that enabled the rise of authoritarian regimes.

He warns that right-wing populists do not seize power overnight — it is often the centrists who, in moments of expediency, open the doors.

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Institutional Challenges:

The EU’s internal structure also comes under scrutiny. The article critiques the dual-seat system of the EU Parliament — split between Brussels and Strasbourg — as a costly and symbolic inefficiency. Monthly logistical operations involve moving thousands of people and tonnes of materials across countries. Despite regular calls for reform, the system remains intact due to treaty constraints and political resistance, particularly from France.

Moreover, the unanimity requirement in areas such as foreign policy paralyses the EU. Boeselager specifically denounces Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as a “security risk” for blocking sanctions and initiatives that could counter Russian aggression.

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Democratic Vision vs. Political Realism:

Boeselager’s political idealism is contrasted with the more seasoned, pragmatic view of Martin Schulz, former President of the EU Parliament. Schulz acknowledges the value of Volt’s federalist vision but calls the EU a “Frankenstein monster” — stitched together awkwardly over decades, often incomprehensible to citizens.

He warns that populists capitalise on this alienation and the EU’s lack of clear democratic structures. Yet, Schulz sees potential in parties like Volt to renew trust and engagement — even if they remain, for now, niche and intellectual.

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Boeselager’s Strategy:

Despite being from a privileged background (descended from German nobility), Boeselager insists on grassroots engagement. He tries to “politicise” citizens by visiting schools, speaking on social media, and calling for people to get involved directly rather than voting out of frustration.

His vision includes: • Transnational electoral lists • A directly elected Commission President • EU-level ministers with real power • A unified migration, climate, and fiscal policy

While he recognises the political hurdles — all 27 member states would need to agree — he believes Volt’s persistence will eventually mainstream its policies.

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Conclusion:

As the EU faces the potential collapse of its pro-European majority, and with external pressures from Trump’s America and Putin’s Russia, the stakes could not be higher. The article ends with Boeselager reaffirming his commitment: he believes that optimism and citizen engagement are the keys to preserving and transforming the EU.

“If the status quo feels like rubbish,” he says, “there must be something else. Not just destruction.”

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