Reacting to the debate on freedom of expression in Italy held today in the European Parliament, ELDR President Annemie Neyts commented: “Freedom of expression and the press is one of the fundamental pillars of liberal democracy.

 

“Liberals fight worldwide for the values of pluralism, so we have to guarantee these rights also inside the European Union” “It’s the first time – she continued - that a national issue becomes a European issue. Never before the EU triggered a debate on such a specific topic”.

The future scenario could be a sentence to the Italian government for the attempt to limit media pluralism and potentially new legal proceedings against the Italy. Direct threats to the freedom of expression within the European Union limit the credibility of the EU to criticize non-EU countries for censorship.

ELDR member parties and their MEPs of Italia dei Valori and Radicali Italiani have always been fervent defenders of an open debate and criticized the accumulation of media power in Italy.

Italy is the only western democracy where the prime minister exercises direct control over three TV channels he owns, and has indirect control over three public channels as well as owning several newspapers, magazines, radio stations, and the largest publishing house in the country.

“This referendum is not about ‘politics as usual’.  It goes beyond any issues of party, organisation or locality.  It is about our country’s future.” This was the comment of Brian Cowen at yesterday’s final Lisbon press conference in Dublin. Referring to the 2nd October vote, he said: “We face a clear choice on Friday (tomorrow) and the stakes could not be higher.” “Only with a Yes will we ensure investor confidence in Ireland, protect our influence in vital economic decisions and reform Europe so that it is more dynamic and effective” he argued.
In the same line Guy Verhofstadt, ALDE leader, who met on 28 September in Dublin the Foreign Minister Micheál Martin and the Chairman of the “Ireland for Europe” campaign, Pat Cox. “Ireland's membership of the eurozone - like Belgium's - has protected the country from an even more serious financial shock and possible devaluation of the national currency" Verhofstadt said.

Pat Cox, head of the pro-Lisbon campaign group “Ireland for Europe” said, "There is no room for complacency and we will have to fight right to the very end."
Cautiously optimistic about the result of the referendum, to be held on Friday 2nd October, Pat Cox,  former president of the European Parliament, is collaborating with ELDR member party Fianna Fail and its European Affairs Minister Dick Roche to make people aware of the advantages that the Lisbon treaty would bring to Ireland.

The German FDP is expected to obtain a prominent role in one of the most powerful economic systems in the world.
European Liberals congratulate their German member party for the fantastic election result of 14.6 percent (the best result in the party’s history) and looks forward to seeing the FDP play a key role in the new German government. To read more.

Anne Brasseur is the new Leader of the ALDE Group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. ELDR warmly welcomes the election of this very capable politician to replace her colleague and friend Matyas Eorsi.
With its 101 members from 38 countries, ALDE is the third largest political group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
Brasseur, former Minister of Education in Luxembourg, engaged in politics since 1975, is at present chairing the Committee on Culture, Science and Education of the CoE Parliamentary Assembly.

ELDR invites you to register for a special workshop about “how to build up local party branches and helping liberal parties to succeed at the local level”, that will take place at the fringe of the ELDR Congress on Wednesday 18th November from 13:00 – 18:00 in Barcelona.
Local structures of political parties are the cornerstone for successful participation in elections. Participants will discuss best practices from among the many ELDR parties attending.
For more details on the programme and to register please contact Philipp Hansen, phansen@eldr.eu

In the framework of the ELDR Political and information Activities scheme, CDC of Cataluña will organise on Saturday 3rd October 2009 in Barcelona a seminar on “Àfrica vista desde Catalunya” (Africa seen from Catalunya).
A whole day dedicated to debates around the theme of Africa inspired by the book of LLuis Mallart “Okupes a l’Àfrica”. “Covergencia Democratica works hard in favor of Catalunya as an international interlocutor, with particular regard to Africa" said Carles LLorens, CDC International officer.
For more details please click on here. 

Maud Olofsson, Liberal Minister for Enterprise and Energy, and Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren launched today the Climate Campaign 2 degrees with a large number of organizations.
The campaign aims to increase popular pressure for the final negotiations on a global climate agreement in Copenhagen in December. The signatures will be submitted to the representatives of the Governments of the United States and China.
“As world leaders gather in Copenhagen let there be no doubt that many of us expect an agreement that enables us to reach a 2-degree goal. The more people that are engaged, the more we increase the pressure" said Olofsson.
More details on www.2grader.se/en/

The ELDR liberal library is now online. More than 150 titles are available and there is the possibility to promote your publications and enhance the debate around your favourite themes.
All those who want to contribute by suggesting new books, special editions and outstanding authors, are invited to leave comments and remarks by clicking on the appropriate links in the online library.