Graham Watson MEP, ELDR Vice President

Three lessons can be learned from the popular democratic uprisings which should inform our policy from now on.

The first is that it is no good preaching the values of democracy if we arm its enemies. Having armed Gadhafi and other autocrats there is a logical case to be made for arming the protesters, particularly if we fail to live up to the ‘duty to protect’ laid down in the UN Charter: but this policy should be pursued only in extremis. Most important, however, is to stop arms sales to autocratic regimes wherever they are: democracy’s appeal is not limited to north Africa, nor the temptation to beleaguered autocrats to use arms against their own people. (more…)

Liberal Member of the European Parliament, Sophie in ‘t Veld on equality for LGBT people.

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…)

“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

A film made in view of the “Europe up close” film competition

ELDR President Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck MEP

With Lord Ralf Dahrendorf’s demise, international liberalism loses yet another personality of exceptional and towering stature. German born, he spent most of his life in the United Kingdom whose nationality he came to adopt. He presided successfully over the prestigious London School of Economics, and contributed to many newspapers and magazines. The Libdems proposed him for a life peerage and so a foreign born intellectual came to grace the House of Lords, this most British of institutions.

He participated in many congresses and meetings of Liberal International, often sharing his mostly unconventional thoughts with the audience. Listening to him was always an exquisite pleasure. (more…)

Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner

The on-going credit crunch has led most of us to take a good look at our expenses. We look at our bills and try to think of ways to reduce them. For me, I am always amazed at how much it costs me to use my mobile phone when I travel to a different EU country.

That’s why I’m pleased to report the adoption of the new EU Roaming Regulation. This Regulation, amongst other things, sets limits on how much the mobile phone companies can charge us for using certain mobile services whilst in other Member States. (more…)