I would like to thank you for having voted in last weekend’s European elections. Preliminary results show that ELDR member parties’ candidates will return with about the same number of MEPs. For me that is a sign of trust from our liberal voters. Particularly as the liberal MEPs - in a European Parliament with fewer seats - are set to strenghten their influence to defend and promote our ideals of freedom and democracy. (more…)
The European elections are a democratic mega-event that can only be compared to the elections in India. The elections have begun today in The Netherlands and the UK. Until Sunday evening close to 400 million European citizens have the possibility to determine the direction that Europe will take over the course of the next five years. The Parliament is the only directly elected body of the European institutions. Your vote gives the European Parliament its democratic character and influences decisions taken at the European level. There are a number of challenges that member states cannot face alone and where action at the EU level is vital. The economic crisis, which is affecting so many of us, is a prime example. (more…)
On 14 May 2009 young Dutch film makers presented short films on the importance of Europe in our everyday life in a film festival entitled “Europe up close”. The event was held in the new state of the art public library in the harbour of Amsterdam.
Their short films discuss a wide range of topics such as the reunification of Europe and breaking down borders, freedom, cultural diversity, consumer protection and economic opportunities to mention a few examples. A jury, composed of former European Commission official Nico Wegter and programmer of the Netherlands Film festival Herman de Wit, awarded a short film on multilingualism with the festival’s main prize, whereas the audience preferred a film with inner city school children.
Sophie in ‘t Veld MEP and D66 party leader Alexander Pechtold MP were present to comment on the artists’ creativity and debated with the audience.
The jury awarded the following short film about Europe’s multilingualism and minority languages:
The audience awarded the short film about children and Europe:
All other short films can be viewed on Youtube: here
Sharon Bowles, Liberal Democrat MEP for the South East of England
At the ELDR Rally, I said the Liberal response to the crisis is Stay Liberal!
This is not the end of the Liberal market economy. The problem is we have had a so-called liberal market economy, but run by pretenders, calling themselves neo-liberals.
They thought it was easy to be Liberal - so they failed to understand a basic morality that is an essential part of liberalism - do no harm to others - and therefore they failed to integrate that morality into their version of the market economy. That is why the Tories and New Labour are both flummoxed. (more…)
Graham Watson MEP, Leader of the ALDE Group in the EP
Too often European leaders talk the talk when it comes to connecting with citizens, but don’t follow through with action. During this European election campaign I have been speaking at town hall meetings in my constituency - spreading the word about what Europe is doing for the people - and as President of the Parliament I would take that message from Member State to Member State.
By Graham Watson MEP, Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats Group in the European Parliament
Dear Mr. Nyrup Rasmussen, dear European Socialists, Thank you for your letter. You are surprised about our commitment to the Single Market. You should not be. Liberals believe that Europeans benefit from the Single Market. It gives European consumers more choice and better products. It gives European companies opportunities to grow and create jobs.
Do you believe that Denmark would be better off without the opportunities it offers? Would Danish consumers want to live without French cheese, Italian shoes, German technology or Finnish phones? Do you believe Danish companies would want to stop exporting their goods to the rest of Europe, thus risking their employees’ jobs?
The Single Market is not an end in itself for Liberals, but rather serves as the most efficient means to meet the citizens’ demands.
