China-Europe political party forum in Beijing Last week, European Liberals met with representatives of the whole range of other political party families in Beijing, China for the first ever political party dialogue between European political parties and their Chinese Communist counterpart. For European Liberals the competition of political ideas in a pluralistic party system is a key component of democratic politics and the best way forward for any society. During her opening speech ELDR Party President Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck MEP emphasized classic key liberal values, stressing that only free individuals are able to unleash their full potential for the prosperous development of a society. Liberals elaborated on these ideas during the two-day event and believe that this important dialogue needs to be continued to tackle global challenges of mutual interests to both European and Chinese societies. For more news click here.
Attitudes towards liberalism
In its efforts to support its Member Parties and organized liberalism to build sustainable structures for successful political party work, ELDR held a workshop in Bratislava to discuss the perception of key liberal values in Central and Eastern Europe. Together with politicians from the liberal parties and researchers, ELDR took a hands-on approach in discussing how a liberal party successfully builds its party structure and what efforts need to be undertaken to establish a stronger political presence in the region.
This is a top priority for ELDR, which is now in the process of stepping up its efforts to support its members in the region. Keep posted to the ELDR website for more detailed developments in the near future.
Good chances for liberals in Slovakia
The President of the ELDR Party, Annemie Neyts-Uttebroeck MEP, visited Slovakia on 30 and 31 May 2010 to meet with Mr Richard Sulík, leader and head of list, and the leadership of the liberal party Freedom and Solidarity (Sloboda a Solidarita in Slovak). Mrs Neyts discussed the prospects for the liberals in Slovakia in the upcoming parliamentary elections on Saturday 12 June as well as the application for membership, which Freedom and Solidarity has submitted to ELDR. Mrs Neyts: “I believe that Freedom and Solidarity will have good chances in the elections for the Parliament of Slovakia on 12 June. The party has a clearly liberal election manifesto, strong candidates and a refreshing campaign. The Bureau of the ELDR Party will welcome membership of Freedom and Solidarity once the elections confirm the current polls and the party will enter the Slovak parliament.”
Polls give the Slovak party a good chance of entering the Slovak parliament with between 9 and 11 % of the votes.
Towards concrete liberal migration policies – taming the paper tiger
At the height of the financial crisis, with rising unemployment figures and dire future prospects, a discussion about the importance of migration is not at the top of the agenda. While populists on the right fuel prejudices and populists on the left ignore social realities, liberals find themselves caught in the middle of this political minefield. To counter cultural and religious prejudices and to avoid socio-economic clashes, European and Arab liberals are taking the lead to address these issues with a joint deceleration for establishing cross-continental dialogue on the socio-economic and human rights dimension of migration.
Van Rompuy discussed future of Europe with Pat Cox“
The Lisbon Treaty has an evolutionary nature rather than a revolutionary one”, said herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council in a recent meeting organized by EMI and chaired by Pat Cox, Former President of the EP titled ‘After the Lisbon Treaty – What can Citizens Expect? – Moving from Design to Delivery’. Van Rompuy, interviewed by Cox, pointed to the enhanced role for the European Parliament and National Parliaments as evidence of greater democratic legitimacy, to the entrenching of fundamental rights with the adoption of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and to the improved framework for a unified external representation of the European Union. As regards his own role as President of the Council, he remarked on the continuity of function for two and a half years, the political confidence in the Presidency indicated by the choice made by the Heads of State and Government and the freedom from national political responsibilities as being separately and collectively key advantages.
Information and political activities - VVD: Investing in security
International security and the future of the Dutch defence policy was the theme of an ELDR sponsored political and information activity organized by the Dutch liberals of VVD on Tuesday 1 June in The Hague. Prof. Dr. Julian Lindley-French of the Strategic Advisory Group of the Atlantic Council challenged the current Dutch government’s policy of shying away from its responsibility as a medium size power in NATO and the EU and to – almost – become a free-rider in security and defence matters. He summed up the international response from NATO partners such as the United States and the United Kingdom in one word: “disappointment.” Furthermore, “the solidarity in NATO and the EU would be undermined if more countries would follow the Dutch attitude.” For more details, please click here
Suivez-nous
ecent meeting organized by EMI and chaired by Pat Cox, Former President of the EP titled ‘After the Lisbon Treaty – What can Citizens Expect? – Moving from Design to Delivery’. 
