With the affiliation of the Portuguese P.S.D. the Federation changed its name to "Federation of Liberal, Democratic and Reform Parties of the European Community - ELDR".

The Constitution was changed to provide for three ELDR Vice-Presidents instead of two.

The main subjects debated at the Congress were:

- the individual and the State in relation to enterprise and new industry and

- the Single European Act.

Elections of vice-presidents

In December 1986 the ELDR Executive Committee elected the following vice-presidents :

- Manuel Dias Loureiro (Secretary General of the PSD)

- Uffe Ellemann-Jensen (Chairman of Venstre and Danish Foreign Minister)

- David Steel (Leader of the British Liberal Party).

In June 1986 the Executive Committee decided on a new logo to replace the old ELD-symbol: a tree with a coiled trunk was chosen to symbolize strength and union.

Preparation for the 1989 election campaign

In June 1986 the Executive Committee set up a Manifesto Committee under the chairmanship of Florus Wijsenbeek MEP.