Young Socialists: young, critical and uncompromising

At the ages of 26 and 27, Mélissa Antunes de Magalhães from Bissen and Olivier Cano from Steinsel have been leading the Luxembourg Young Socialists (JSL) since the start of the year. We meet the two young politicians in Mersch and also take the time for a leisurely stroll through Mersch Park. For Mélissa Antunes de Magalhães, this conversation is also a first: it is her very first interview.

Naturally, we want to know why young people like them get involved in party politics at all, given that meetings, party conferences and political work take up a lot of time, and that at that age one might well have other things to do.

For Mélissa Antunes de Magalhães, the answer is simple: anyone who has already had certain experiences and recognised inequalities at a young age can decide to do something about it. Political engagement is a good way to do this. Olivier Cano sees it in a similar light: "If we as young people aren't interested in our own future, who should be?"

For Mélissa, this commitment developed gradually. She had already been involved in voluntary work, including in Bissen, and initially wanted to get involved in local politics. Through her contact with the Young Socialists, a growing desire emerged to become active at a national level.

Olivier, too, describes his journey not as a single defining moment, but as a gradual process. It all began in the school council; later, the European Youth Parliament came into the picture.

For Mélissa, on the other hand, a certain sense of rebellion also played a part. "I just hated it when people said: 'You young people, you don't know anything, and you don't do anything.' That was the moment for me when I rebelled against it."