Twenty years old and already on the electoral list for the municipal elections. Lili Laki is a history student at Erasmus University Rotterdam and the youngest candidate for the Rotterdam City Council on behalf of the SP. If she is elected, she will be the youngest woman ever to serve on the Rotterdam City Council, thereby making history herself. We spoke to her about her love of history and her political ambition to fight poverty.
Lili was born and raised in Rotterdam and has Hungarian-Serbian roots. She knows what it is like to grow up in poverty; her parents fled to the Netherlands with nothing and were in debt during her childhood. That is why she focuses primarily on combating poverty in Rotterdam within the SP. ‘I became aware of what poverty means in the Netherlands at a young age. My goal is to prevent even one child from having to grow up like I did.’
History books
That political dream began to take shape in secondary school, where Lili was fascinated by history. She found lessons about the Cold War and the Eastern Bloc particularly interesting, partly because of her background, and began to delve deeper into the subject.
‘That was also because of my parents. I heard many more stories from my family, who had experienced communist regimes, than I heard at school. As a result, I quickly started delving into history books on my own to learn more about that history. That was also when I came into contact with socialist ideas. I didn't feel much for communism, but socialism continued to occupy my mind. The justifiable argument that poverty should not exist and that everyone should share in our prosperity still motivates me today.’
'The history programme focuses on social issues and you really learn what historical events mean in today's world. With this focus on modern times, EUR really distinguishes itself from other history programmes.'
Expectations more than fulfilled
After secondary school, Lili eventually started studying to become a history teacher, but she didn't enjoy it. She wanted more depth and a connection with modern society, so she ultimately chose to study for a Bachelor's degree in History at Erasmus University.
‘I really like it and am now even following the “Honours Programme”. Studying is no burden for me; I love it and think it's great. The programme has more than lived up to my expectations. I find the study very varied because you also learn anthropology, sociology and philosophy. The programme focuses on social issues and you really learn what historical events mean in today's world. For example, I recently attended a guest lecture on games during the course “Historical Representation and Imagination”. It explained how, for example, the Second World War is represented in games and whether that corresponds with historical events. That's a good example of how history intersects with media and entertainment. With this focus on modern times, EUR really distinguishes itself from other history programmes.
Knowledge as argumentation
Lili says that her history studies have been very useful. ‘My last course was “Urban History” by Paul van de Laar (endowed professor of urban history). That was perfect for me, because it deals with municipal politics, city icons, housing policy and gentrification, and how Rotterdam identifies itself as a city, but also presents itself within the Netherlands. I actually use the knowledge I gain from these kinds of courses in my arguments during debates on vacant property, for example. That also motivates me to study hard. The articles I read for my studies inspire me and strengthen my knowledge.’
I am currently in the second year of my bachelor's degree and have chosen “Social History” as my focus area. This focuses on marginalised groups, which is in line with my political views. I think that “Economic History” or “International Relations”, for example, would be more in line with liberalism. Although some theories or subjects fit in with political movements, I don't think our studies are politically biased. Nor do I think they should be politicised. Universities are quickly labelled “left-wing”, but that is different from being “progressive”. Lecturers generally follow the theory, but of course they sometimes have their own opinions or views on a subject. For example, I recently had a good discussion with a lecturer who had a slightly more right-wing view than me, and that caused a bit of a clash. But that's what keeps it interesting."
Success through social media
In 2024, Lili achieved her first political success. Together with the SP Youth, she launched a campaign to bring back the BOB bus, which had been cut back in Rotterdam. For many young people in the region, this was the main means of transport for getting home at night after a night out. After a lot of media attention in the AD, Dagblad 010, Open Rotterdam and 50,000 views on TikTok, and after much insistence, council member Lansink finally gave in. Lili and her team convinced him with a playful campaign, and in 2025, the BOB bus returned.
'I speak Gen-Z language. A Millennial or Gen-Xer wouldn't make a video like that.'
This was just a preview of Lili's clever use of social media. She knows how to appeal to a young target group in a smooth way via Instagram and TikTok. She recently went viral with a video showing her in a debate. "I speak Gen-Z language. A Millennial or Gen-Xer wouldn't make a video like that. The SP needs that young, activist voice with a touch of satire again. And Jimmy Dijk (the national SP leader) is an inspiration to me in that respect. The way he talks and stands up for the lower classes really appeals to me. And I add my own twist to that. "
Future
As far as studying is concerned, I don't know what the future holds, but I do know that I will remain politically active. Rotterdam is really my place and I want to continue to work to address injustice within the municipality. My Balkan temperament gives me the courage to say and do what many people don't dare to do. I have nothing to lose and in everything I do, I think of the people who support me. But first, the focus is on the upcoming elections. I'm ready, I'm eager to make the city a better place for everyone. We are not communists who want to take everything away, we are socialists who want to give something to everyone. I am here to break down barriers!"
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