Europe's youngest MP

Anna Luhrmann went into politics when she was 13

By Tristana Moore BBC correspondent in Berlin

"I didn't just want to grumble, I really wanted to do something," says 19 year-old Anna Luhrmann, the youngest member of parliament in Germany - and in the whole of Europe.

She won her seat for the Greens during September's general election, setting a new record for the Bundestag (German parliament).

I think I can bring a young perspective on things and I saw the opportunity to go on into a political party

Anna Luhrmann

Thanks to Germany's system of proportional representation, little-known candidates can win seats provided enough second votes are cast for their party.

Anna looks relaxed in front of the cameras - you would never guess she was new to the job.

'Excited'

I went along to meet Anna outside the German parliament thinking I would get an interview there and then.

But like all politicians, Anna is difficult to pin down - she has a press officer and a political adviser and they had other plans for her.

At 5 o'clock Anna was still stuck inside a committee meeting on parliamentary affairs that lasted for many hours.

Her press officer has been telling me that she was interested in Europe and globalisation and that was apparently what they were talking about.

The meeting is over - and I manage to get a quick word with Anna.

"I had my first statement here today and I think it went quite well. I'm very excited about my work here for the next four years," she says.

'Young perspective'

It is all very grown-up, but then Anna is used to it.

When most girls her age would have been swooning over Robbie Williams, Anna was already getting involved in politics. At 13, she joined the Green Party.

Anna wants to pursue a university degree while she is an MP

"I think I can bring a young perspective on things and I saw the opportunity to go on into a political party - into the Green Party - and to make my points there," she says.

"To get organised and to organise meetings and demonstrations and stuff like that and to really change something and not to complain."

And what do her bosses at the Green party think of her?

"We have the youngest elected member of any parliament in Europe," says Claudia Roth, the leader of the Green Party.

"I think that makes something clear - that we do not only speak about politics for young people but in my party and now in the German parliament young people are making politics."

Too young?

The Greens have the youngest members in the German parliament - but at 19, perhaps Anna Luhrmann is a bit too young?

"I would suggest that some years of experience, some studies and some more basic work would be helpful before getting into parliament," says one man.

But others don't agree.

"I'd like to see more young people in politics to find out what they think about politics," says one woman. "So, go on!"

Apart from politics, Anna says she is still a normal teenager.

"Movies are a very high interest of mine and tonight I hope I will get to see the new Harry Potter movie."

That is if she gets out of work in time. Anna says she is going to pursue a university degree while she is an MP.

But given the fact she is often working late into the night, that may be pretty tricky.