Creating the European public sphere - Europeanisation of the political party system: our task for the coming years.

Today’s challenges deserve a coherent response from the Institutions that govern the world’s largest internal market. Euro-barometers show that voters also demand European action on climate, energy and security.

The EU is the level to address these challenges. National parties should be honest about the fact that it is at that level where solutions should be found. We believe political parties should organise themselves at the level where major political issues need to be solved.

The recent EP-elections showed a low turnout of voters. Voters have little enthusiasm for the political level that is responsible for the solution of their key problems. We believe this turnout was caused by national political parties campaigning with two struggling souls in their breast: one soul that knows that we need to Europeanise to solve today’s problems and the other soul that tries to stick to its national focus. The resulting campaigns lack a convincing message to inspire voters. (more…)

Dr Gashi MP (right) and Shpend Kallaba

The importance of this topic is crucial and a challenge to any democratic regime, whether it is well-consolidated or transitional, therefore we would like to bring in mind one sensational proverb by Napoleon Bonaparte: “I fear from the newspapers more than a hundred thousand bayonets.” Apparently, in politics this concept remains prevailing even today, but in a much more sophisticated manner. (more…)

Vice President Marc Guerrero

At the last ELDR party congress, held in Barcelona (Catalonia), I remarked in my candidacy speech that we, liberals, could not allow having a red belt in south Europe. It is right to consider that for historical reasons the south of Europe has been not an easy place for liberalism.

If we have a look at the current situation we can clearly check that even though we have important liberals parties that are or have been in government -as Partit Liberal d’Andorra, Convergència Democràtica de Catalunya or Unió Mallorquina-, it is also true that we have a great lack of strong liberal political forces in, for example, Greece, Portugal or Malta. The positive side is that in all these countries we can find a variety of think tanks, national political foundations, institutes and leading liberal personalities that promote liberal and democrat ideals and values. (more…)

Hans van Baalen MEP, President of Liberal International

Europe and the US should show their support for protesters in Iran, says European parliamentarian Hans van Baalen and make their opposition to government violence there known.

Since the elections of last June Iran has descended into chaos. Protestors out on the streets have not wavered in the face of unrelenting violence from government militia and riot police. In demonstrations last Sunday, fifteen were killed and hundreds injured when troops shot at protestors, aiming to kill.

This violence against innocent civilians is unacceptable. The Iranian regime has shown its most heinous of faces. The free West has not responded decisively and has been loath to express unconditional support for the opposition. Instead, the US and the EU have adopted a wait-and-see attitude. This is morally unacceptable and also runs counter to Western interests. (more…)

Cecilia Malmström, Minister of European Affairs (Sweden)

Finally, it’s Lisbon Day. Just a few hours ago, the Lisbon Treaty entered into force. The process initiated by the European Council in December 2001 has now finally resulted in a clear and comprehensive set of rules, which will be governing the European Union for the foreseeable future.

I dare to say that the Lisbon Treaty is the result of the most transparent and democratic process in the Union’s history. Member State governments, national MP’s and the European Parliament were all part of the European Convention that tabled the proposal for the Constitutional Treaty back in 2003. Although the outline is different, the actual contents of the Lisbon Treaty is very similar to the Convention’s original draft.

With the Lisbon Treaty, the EU will be able to take a great leap forward. New provisions will pave the way for more effective and transparent decision-making, a more democratic Union, and a clear focus on citizens.

The discussions on how Europe should be governed has gone on for years. This debate has been important, but it has also prevented Europe from delivering on important policies. As from today, we will need commit all our efforts to take on the great challenges currently facing Europe. It’s climate change, it’s creating conditions for jobs and growth, it’s the fight against cross-border crime and it’s the challenge to turn the Union into a stronger global actor.

Cecilia Malmström is Minister for European Affairs of Sweden

Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner

This is the text of a letter I co-signed with Margot Wallstrom and Diana Wallis, published in the Financial Times this week causing quite a reaction.

As the Financial Times has extensively reported, European democracy will face a moment of truth in the coming days. Two important appointments will be made for the European Union - the President of the European Council and the High Representative/Vice President of the European Commission - and once more it is looking more and more likely that only men will be nominated.

A new European Commission will also be appointed in the coming weeks. Though President José Manuel Barroso has urged his fellow-members of the European Council to keep in mind the importance of gender balance when presenting their candidates, it still looks as if the new Commission will have fewer women than the current one.

This would be bad for Europe, bad for democracy and bad for women.

It is time to move from words to deeds on gender equality by appointing women to leading positions in the EU, as Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament, also suggested recently to the European Council. There is no lack of names; no shortage of qualities and competence. Many women are active in European politics, working for the benefit of our societies. Vaira Vike- Freiberga, for example, has been mentioned for the presidency; Elisabeth Guigou and Catherine Ashton as potential high representatives.

We need a collective political commitment to ensure political representation of women. Women make up a majority of the population and in the 21st century European democracy cannot afford to use only half of its people’s talents, ideas and experiences.

When women sit at the table, they can help to ensure that the political decisions reflect the needs of the entire population. The right man in the right job is often a woman. Appointing women would make Europe richer and more representative and bring it closer to all citizens. This can happen, but it requires some bold decisions. NOW.

Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the European Commission
Diana Wallis, Vice-President of the European Parliament
Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner

Brian Cowen, TD and Taoiseach

Through the last year, I worked hard with colleagues throughout the European Union to develop a comprehensive response to the fears of the Irish people as expressed in last year’s vote.

I believe the response was comprehensive and generous - rooted in a spirit of mutual respect and trust. I was particularly pleased with the warm public and private support of colleagues from within the ELDR. (more…)

ELDR President Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck MEP

Although not fully enthusiastic about Barroso’s political programme for the presidency of the European Commission, described by Annemie Neyts, President of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR) as being “a bit wooly”, Neyts admitted that Barroso’s presentation of his priorities for the next 5 years at yesterdays ALDE Group meeting “was excellent, very straight to the point”. (more…)

“Deutschland kann es besser.

Wir von der FDP wollen, dass sich Ihre Arbeit wieder lohnt.

Mehr Leistungsgerechtigkeit durch faire Steuern. Mehr Netto vom Brutto. Bildung als Bürgerrecht.

Gemeinsam können wir es besser. Deutschland kann es besser.
Ab dem 27. September 2009.”

“Germany can do better.

We from the FDP demand that your job pays off again. More performance fairness through fair taxes. Less tax leaves more net income.

Education is a civil right.

Together we can do better. Germany can do better.

As of 27 September 2009.”

By Dr Guido Westerwelle MP, Leader of the FDP