Last, but certainly by no means least, Cecilia Malmström, was the final liberal commissioner-designate to complete her hearing yesterday in front of the European Parliament’s civil liberties, justice and home affairs committee in Strasbourg. Malmström, current Swedish Minister of European Affairs, gave an assured performance on the home affairs portfolio, which she is set to take on when the new Commission officially takes office.  The Commissioner-designate stated her belief that security and peoples’ rights are not at odds with each other and affirmed that she would always stand up for human rights, "Throughout my career, I have worked for fundamental rights: I want to leave my mark on this area".

Recent legislative proposals jeopardizing basic rights of citizens and populist remarks by the Bulgarian government have caused concern in ELDR’s Bulgarian member parties NMSS and MRF. Having informed ELDR, the Bureau therefore, at its next meeting on Friday 29 January in Brussels, will address the endangering of these rights, such as uncontrolled access – without any judicial oversight - by the Ministry of Interior and security services of correspondence and e-mail communication and the abolishment of Turkish language public television news broadcasts. NMSS President Christina Christova: “rights and freedoms of citizens, guaranteed by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the Charter of Fundamental Freedoms are jeopardized. Such a policy erodes democratic morals and civic culture.”

Mouvement Reformateur, Belgian member of ELDR, is holding a party congress on 31st January in view of finalising the « Manifeste des Réformateurs » .
The event will take place in Liège, Belgium, in the Palais des Congrès from 10am.
Richard Miller , MP and president of the Parliamentary intergroup, will introduce the works and will submit the new project for a Manifesto to the members attending the Congress. 

On 5-7th February Italia dei Valori, member of the ELDR, will organise its first official congress in Rome with more than 3500 delegates expected. The congress will see a head to head contest between Antonio Di Pietro (current leader of IdV) and  Francesco Barbato for the presidency.
 “Until now we have had conventions on the programme and the president was voted by acclamation.  From 2010 on everything will change”, a party spokesperson commented. There be an internal vote of delegates present at the congress. The national coordinators for the women’s network and the youth organisation will be also elected.

On Wednesday 3rd February 2010, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation office in the Southern Caucasus will host a conference in Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, on "The Eastern Partnership: A new effective Strategy of Cooperation between the EU and its Eastern Neighbours?” ELDR Vice President Markus Löning will represent ELDR at the event to discuss the liberal points of view on the partnership, which encompasses enhancing the EU’s relationship with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Furthermore, Löning will meet the leadership of the Armenian National Movement.