Wind of change Interview: New Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen Bringing Denmark closer to the EU Movement for Rights and Freedoms hosts LIBSEEN conference Lyutvi Mestan presents his ideas for South East Europe An energising force: Individual members expanding across Europe
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The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Party is the party representing liberal democrat values across Europe.
Contents
In conjunction with our liberal member parties throughout the European continent, we are translating the principle of freedom into politics, economics and across all other areas of our societies. The ALDE Party provides an increasingly vital link between citizens and the EU institutions and is continuously growing in size and significance.
Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 3
The ALDE Party is made up of more than 50 member parties from across Europe. Liberal Democrats created their European political family in 1976, ahead of the first European elections. ALDE was established as a truly transnational political party in 1993.
President’s Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 9
Liberal Bulletin is a publication of the ALDE Party. It is published three times a year.
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party
Interview with: Lars Løkke Rasmussen – Eye on Denmark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4 Interview with MRF leader: Lyutvi Mestan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6
LYMEC on TTIP, trade and facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 10 Individual membership: Expanding across Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 11 Best from newsletter and social media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 13 Liberal movers and shakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 14
Rue d’Idalie 11 - box 2, 1050 Brussels Tel. +32 2 237 01 40 – Fax +32 2 231 19 07 Editors: Daniel Tanahatoe, Andrew Burgess, Adriana Díaz, ALDE Party Publisher: Didrik de Schaetzen (ALDE Party) Layout: Trinome.be Printing: Hayez.be With the support of the European Parliament
Calendar / 17-20 September 2015 – Sofia, Bulgaria LIBSEEN leaders meeting / 19-20 September – Nyborg, Denmark Radikale Venstre Annual Congress / 19-23 September – Bournemouth, United Kingdom Liberal Democrats Autumn Conference / 24 September – New York, USA Liberal International Isaiah Berlin Lecture 2015 by Cecilia Malmström / 24-27 September – Falun, Sweden Centre Party Congress / 25-27 September – Barcelona, Spain LYMEC: Young Leaders Meeting / 28-31 October – Mexico City, Mexico 60th Congress of Liberal International / 29 October-1 November – Helsinki, Finland LYMEC: Autumn congress on Energy Security / 19-21 November 2015 – Budapest, Hungary ALDE Party Congress
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Editorial During the past months, Greece has been in the spotlight of European politics. The need for a strong united European Union (EU) to cope with economic and political challenges together has become more evident than ever before. In the words of the ALDE Group leader in the European Parliament (EP), Guy Verhofstadt, ‘’there is more at stake than the future of Greece. It is about the future of Europe’’. In the aftermath of the Greek referendum, where 61% of Greek citizens rejected the demands by the country’s EU-IMF creditors, ALDE Party launched a campaign to save Greece. The purpose of the campaign was to gather online signatures in order to remind world leaders and the rest of Europe why we needed to save Greece. Throughout the history of the party, European Liberal Democrats have pushed for a continuous development of the EU and its institutions towards further integration. Hence, it is essential that European countries work together to overcome the challenges posed by the economic crisis.
gives us an insight on his plans to increase the amount of jobs in the private sector as well as on the possibility of holding a referendum for an opt-in for Denmark in EUs Justice and Home Affairs. We also interview Lyutvi Mestan, the chairman of the Movement for Rights and Freedom (MRF), ALDE Party member in Bulgaria. Mestan shares with us his ideas on the South-East of Europe and its path towards European integration. Keeping this in mind, the next milestone for ALDE Party will take place from 19 to 21 November in Budapest, where all these topics will be elaborated upon and discussed. If liberal representation continues to grow stronger in European countries and our values continue expanding across the continent, there is a better chance that we can find the right path for a united Europe, able to take up responsibilities and far exceed all the crises to come.
However, the economic crisis has not been the only struggle for European politicians. In the meantime, the refugee and migrants’ crisis has also been hitting the continent, leaving most European politicians struggling to find the right answer to the challenge.
Jacob Moroza-Rasmussen Secretary General of the ALDE Party
As liberals, we have an obligation to assume responsibility to come up with sustainable solutions, based on liberal values, to all challenges facing Europe today. The present issue of the Liberal Bulletin provides examples of how ALDE Party members apply our values throughout Europe. We interview the recently elected Danish Prime Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, who is now the 7th ALDE Party Prime Minister in the EU. Rasmussen - 3 -
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In order to keep a good public sector, it is imperative that we have a wellfunctioning private sector with growth and jobs as well
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Interview with: Lars Løkke Rasmussen Lars Løkke Rasmussen is the newly elected Prime Minister of Denmark as well as the leader of the ALDE Party member Venstre. Under the new government’s work programme ‘’Together for the future’’, Rasmussen aims to create more jobs in the private sector, regulate public benefits, strengthen Denmark’s welfare system and make sure that migrants become productive members of the society. In this interview, he explains in detail the new government’s priorities, as well as the plan for a referendum for an opt-in status for Denmark in Justice and Home Affairs - 4 -
second issue - 2015 Your Venstre government’s work programme states that Denmark is one of the best countries in the world. Why do you think this is so and how do you plan to ensure this? Over generations, we have created a free society based on shared values regarding democracy, equality and opportunities for the individual. And over generations we have built a prosperous society because we have been competent, hard-working and targeted. It is one of the highest priorities for my government to keep Denmark a free and prosperous society. This requires a responsible economic policy with growth and balance. My government’s key priorities are: firstly, we want to create more jobs in the private sector through better framework conditions for companies. Secondly, we want fewer people on public benefits. We want to make it more profitable to work than to receive public benefits. To this end, we will introduce a ceiling for cash benefits and reduce taxes on earned income. Thirdly, we want to strengthen our welfare systems in key areas such as health care, care for the elderly and education for our children. But we are also ready to prioritise. Fourthly, on migration, we want to ensure that foreigners who come to Denmark become productive members of society. We want them to contribute positively to Danish society; they should not become passive recipients of state assistance. We need to ensure that more people commit to our country and that fewer live in parallel societies. The massive migration flow is a major challenge to a welfare state like ours. And finally on economic policy, my government wants to continue a sound and responsible economic policy with sound public finances and continued structural reforms. One of your government’s key priorities is to create more jobs and growth in the private sector. What are your priorities to ensure healthy economic development in Denmark? How will you tackle the challenge of bringing growth and development to all parts of your country? We believe that the Danish companies must have better conditions for investing and creating jobs. More people must move from public support into jobs, and more vacant jobs must be filled by Danes. The whole of Denmark must benefit from our economic progress. One instrument that the Government will implement is a JobReform, to ensure that it pays more to work than to receive public support. The JobReform will fall into two phases: the first phase is in autumn 2015 when a cash benefit ceiling will be introduced
to put a cap on how much it is possible to receive in public benefits for recipients of cash benefits with the second phase in spring 2016 when the Government will invite the political parties to negotiations with a view to lowering taxes on earned income. Also, since the Government wishes to see growth and development in all parts of Denmark – not only in the biggest cities, we will draw up an overall strategy for the development outside the largest Danish towns and in the rural districts. The strategy will be finalised during this fall. Your country has a well-developed public sector. How will you ensure its sustainability towards the future? In order to keep a good public sector, it is imperative that we have a well-functioning private sector with growth and jobs as well. The Government will reduce taxes for the lowest income brackets to ensure that it pays more to work. We will reduce the cost of doing business in Denmark. Furthermore, we will introduce a tax and burden freeze with immediate effect to provide certainty and predictability to the Danes. At the same time, the Government will prioritise core welfare by way of more money for health and other prioritised welfare areas. Venstre has strong roots in the countryside. Will your government have a different approach from the previous one when it comes to agricultural policy? What is your view on the recent developments in the Common Agricultural Policy in this respect? Denmark has a strong food and agricultural sector that creates jobs and exports. The food sector is a growth driver in parts of Denmark suffering from a shortage of jobs and opportunities for development. However, the sector is facing increasing pressure from global competition. The Government will present a food and agricultural package to make the food and agricultural sector even better prepared to increase the basis for agricultural commodities and exports, and for creating more growth and employment in interaction with nature and the environment. Regarding the recent developments in the CAP, I consider it good news for the Danish food and agricultural sector that Commissioner Phil Hogan has his focus on securing competitiveness and cutting red tape. Though the Danish pension system is sound and robust, like other European - 5 -
countries, Denmark has an ageing population. How do you plan to strengthen the pension system to deal with this issue? The Government wishes to strengthen the foundations for a safe pension system in Denmark. Our goal is that saving should pay more, and that more people should save for their pension in order to have greater financial security in old age. Furthermore, Denmark has a rather ingenious legislation on retirement age in which the Danish retirement age will be adjusted according to the increase in average life expectancy. Your government has called for a referendum to decide on a new agreement on EU justice matters, where your country currently has a strict opt-out. What would be the benefits of closer cooperation with the EU for Denmark? We want Denmark to be as close to the core of the EU as possible. In August I announced that we will have a referendum on our Justice and Home Affairs opt-out in December. We want to change our current opt-out, which only allows us to participate in intergovernmental cooperation, into an optin. If we win the referendum, we will be able to join cooperation in the area of Justice and Home Affairs, which we have been excluded from until now. It will allow us to opt-in to individual legal acts on a case-by-case basis. However, the parties supporting the opt-in have clearly stated that Denmark will retain control of its own asylum and immigration policy. That is part of the package. Otherwise I think it would not be possible to win the referendum. The main driver behind the referendum is the fact that we will have to leave Europol next year when the new Europol regulation comes into force, if we do not change the opt-out. At a time with a lot of public euro-skepticism around Europe, I would be happy if the Danes would support that we move closer to the EU in this area.
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Interview with: Lyutvi Mestan Lyutvi Mestan is the chairman of the Movement for Rights and Freedom (MRF), ALDE Party member in Bulgaria. His party, together with the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, will host from 17-20 September the LIBSEEN Leaders Meeting, under the main topic ‘’Liberalism-new quality factor for the European integration’’. Given the occasion, we took the chance to interview Mestan on his standpoint on a new liberal concept in support of EU enlargement in South-East Europe, the latest political developments in Macedonia and the Bulgarian ethnic model. - 6 -
second issue - 2015 Could you explain your idea about the necessity for a new liberal concept in support of the EU enlargement in the scope of South-East of Europe? How did you come up with that idea? There are at least three strategic directions which could explain the necessity of the new concept for EU enlargement towards the South-East of Europe. Those are the Common European Security, the development of the civil society as civilisation generator of the modern European concept and of liberalism itself and the ideas and values which bring mighty integration potential suggesting a third different road for European development. Europe guarantees citizens’ freedom and equality of rights while preserving different ideas, cultures, religions and languages. This is not just an axiom, but a fundamental liberal principle and a key political and strategic formula which will transform our union into a union of tolerance, democracy, genuine security and prosperity. This idea of the necessity for a new liberal concept in support of the EU enlargement in the South-East of Europe initially emerged in November 2000 when a summit held in Zagreb, recognised the Western Balkans as a sub-region of the South-East of Europe and as a specific partner for dialogue with
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integration perspective. This happened immediately after the war in Kosovo. The end of the crisis in Kosovo showed that EU enlargement and the alternatives to dictatorships are a requirement for European unity. Consequently, gradually, the South-East of the continent, particularly the Western Balkans, became an inalienable element of the EU scenery. More recently, Serbia and Kosovo reached a remarkable compromise in the name of the European idea, which culminated in the Brussels Agreement of 2013. When we witnessed the events and speeches of the Serbian and Kosovar leaders, which seemed provocative at first glance, we, the MRF, as liberals interpreted their message in a different way. We understood that there is a true risk that the old war conflict could erupt if European integration is brought to a standstill. Therefore, this is what led us to the idea that the Union should be consistent in their enlargement intentions. Do you think that your idea will be cherished and supported by the other liberal leaders? This idea for a new liberal EU enlargement concept is not news for the liberal leaders. I already shared this notion when in March this year I wrote a special letter to all the liberal leaders from ALDE Party and a
Europe guarantees citizens’ freedom and equality of rights while preserving different ideas, cultures, religions and languages. This is not just an axiom, but a fundamental liberal principle and a key political and strategic formula which will transform our union into a union of tolerance, democracy, genuine security and prosperity - 7 -
month afterwards, I announced it publicly on a liberal forum held in Sofia dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the Accession Agreement of Bulgaria and Romania. I am convinced that our meeting in Sofia will be a good reason to initiate leaders’ debate. It will contribute to turn European liberalism into a serious factor in enriching the points of view about our common European future. Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the Commission announced last year in the European Parliament that no new countries will join the EU in the next five years, despite the fact that the accession talks will continue. What is your opinion about that approach? Today’s reality in Europe is linked to several crises mixed with common sense and difficult understanding. On the one hand, there is tension about Russian sanctions because of its aggression against Ukraine and the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. On the other hand, there is strong migration pressure because of the ISIL activities and the difficult question of how the world will cope with the increasing terroristic threat. At the same time, various radical, national-populist and antisystem parties managed to reach the European political level which has led to severe civilisation clashes and to a painful search of the way to proceed. In this sense, Juncker attempted to make a “relief” by saying that the accession talks will continue, but we all know very well some examples of accession talks for more than 10 years without any clear integration perspective. That is why I think that the liberal stream in Europe and the predominantly liberal values are capable to bring about the idea of a new EU enlargement concept not just as a political project, but as a civilisation cause. Earlier this summer the political leaders of Macedonia agreed upon early parliamentary elections in order to finish the political crises which settled in the country. How would you comment on the last development of the former Yugoslavian republic? The decision for early parliamentary elections in April 2016 came after very hard negotiations between the political leaders of Macedonia and the active mediation of Brussels with the special role of the Commissioner Johannes Hahn. It is clear that with the active role of the EU the outcome is predictable and in line with the political process. The present
second issue - 2015 This means that such a crisis can result in solidarity and it should become a common European approach. This is another very strong argument for the idea for a new EU enlargement model, which would transform our common space into a wide system of partnership for humanism, democracy and security. As leader of MRF, you often refer to the so-called Bulgarian ethnic model. How did that model contribute to the harmonic development of Bulgaria and can it be an alternative for the societies from the neighbouring countries?
Prime Minister, Nikola Gruevski, and the leader of the Social Democrats, Zoran Zaev, repeatedly highlighted that they do not see any future of the country outside of NATO and the EU. The events in Macedonia are not only an example of political memory, but also of systematic political engagement on behalf of Brussels towards the democratic political process in the candidate countries. In our opinion as liberals, we cannot see any collision between security and democracy and freedom. We think that we can defend democracy with more democracy and that security comes from freedom and shared responsibilities. In this sense, it is not a coincidence that the Macedonian opposition decided to come back to the Parliament exactly in the context of the asylum-seekers crisis to help its nation.
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In 1990 Bulgaria was expected to be the first “bloody Bosnia” on the Balkans. The Bulgarian ethnic Turks, mainly represented through MRF by then, found strength and insight in themselves not to give in to the impulse of revenge because of the “revival process”. They gulped the humiliation and the suffering in the name of the far EuroAtlantic future of the country. The Bulgarian ethnic model transformed the division lines in our society into policies for unity in the society and energy for political and parliamentary dialogue for the sake of the Bulgarian national prosperity and our European modernity. This way, the Bulgarian ethnic model replaced war with political dialogue, a key integration instrument. It unites the Bulgarian society but it can unite the societies in the Western Balkans as well. How would you develop the Bulgarian ethnic model? This question has a strategic meaning not just for Bulgaria but for the countries from the region and for Europe as whole. I mention Europe because the challenges related to the respect for human rights and freedoms and for preservation and enrichment of the ethnic, cultural, language and religious diversity are not only national priorities, but a common European value. It is not by chance that the name of our party
This meeting is a response to the potential role of liberal parties in influencing perspective and values - 8 -
is Movement for Rights and Freedoms. The defence of human rights and freedoms is in constant movement, but always in the frame of European regulations and the European manner of dialogue and policymaking. For example, one of the most difficult problems we confront now is connected to the prohibition of the use of our mother tongue and the unjustified fees imposed when languages different from the official Bulgarian are employed during the pre-election campaign. The solution to these problems hides in broadening the Bulgarian ethnic model which needs European support in concord with the right to access of information contemplated in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Many leaders of liberal parties will come to Sofia in September for the LIBSEEN meeting. What are your expectations? This will be our first liberal summit held in Sofia. This is an acknowledgement of the role of Bulgarian liberals and their way to lead the country towards the EU and the NATO. This meeting is a response to the potential role of liberal parties in influencing perspective and values. Liberalism has a serious and sustainable political future as well as the vocation to give alternatives in the frame of the European political scope. Our aim is to make the citizens of our countries free, active and educated individuals. This is the strongest guarantee of security, sustainability and mutual respect. The vividness of free citizens is far more attractive than the grey shades of the mighty bureaucracy.
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What is missing in the preparations for Paris is the willingness of wealthier countries to put enough money on the table to help poorer countries adapt before climate change becomes uncontrollable.
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President’s Column Well, Europe’s economic recession seems to be over. The recovery may be weak, but in almost every member state growth has returned. Liberals must now work to make sure that growth is sustainable in every sense; based not only on sound economic foundations but on a wise stewardship of natural resources. The circular economy will be key to sustainable growth. The summer’s news bulletins have been dominated by the refugee crisis. The EU has taken a number of refugees equivalent to 0.4% of its population; Lebanon is struggling with a number equivalent to 25%. The proposal tabled by the European Commission for quotas is the only way forward; Liberals must ensure that member state governments back that principle and that we move quickly to avert further human suffering and deaths by drowning or asphyxiation. Europe has coped with larger numbers of refugees before and they have made a huge contribution to inventiveness and economic growth, just as the three million refugees who the USA took in 100 years ago have helped make America what it is today. I hope that the autumn’s news bulletins will be dominated no longer by the despair of refugees but by the dangers of climate change, since unless we get a lasting deal at the UNFCCC in Paris we will be in deep trouble. Not just because of rising sea levels and unpredictable weather patterns; one of the causes of migration is the impact of climate change on people’s ability to grow the food they need. Climate refugees are becoming a regular phenomenon, especially in northern Africa. And even in the EU, yields of wheat and maize and other cereals are down again this year, especially in central Europe where the summer has been so much hotter than usual. And respiratory diseases are up again as the continued burning of hydrocarbons continues to pollute our cities. What is missing in the preparations for Paris is the willingness of wealthier countries to put enough money on the table to help poorer countries adapt before climate change becomes uncontrollable. It’s as simple as that.
I will hang up my hat at the ALDE Party congress in Budapest in November. I have decided - and I announced at the Party Council in Oslo in May - not to seek re-election as your President. It is not that I am tired of the job. Nor that I despair of progress, for despite the poor situation of Liberals in our larger member states we now count seven EU Prime Ministers in our ranks. It is that an issue has arisen in my home state to which I feel obliged to give considerable attention. David Cameron’s reckless gamble - that he can persuade the UK electorate to vote to remain in the EU after his party and its powerful backers have peddled anti EU propaganda for over thirty five years - could well backfire on him. If it does, it could mean the break up not only of the EU but also of the UK (since my native Scotland is likely to vote yes and to seek to remain in the EU). I want to be in the front line of what may be political trench warfare in the coming months. In the four years I have had the privilege of serving you as President I have enjoyed the satisfaction of having achieved much of what I set out to do. I am grateful to our party’s Bureau and to our professional staff (and to many others) for their help in this. Our Party is smarter in every sense and more genuinely supranational. I would like to have swollen our ranks more than I have been able to. But I am sure that whoever you choose to succeed me will continue my efforts in this direction. I leave you with an au revoir, not an adieu. I look forward to being among you again regularly if I can help persuade my compatriots to remain in the EU. If I cannot, I’ll be with you as a refugee.
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Sir Graham Watson President of the ALDE Party
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LYMEC on TTIP, trade and facts European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) kicked off its TTIP campaign at its congress in Rotterdam in the beginning of May 2015. The name of the campaign – the LYMEC TTIP Myth-busting mission – was reflected in a fun yet illustrative flash-mob, where congress participants popped balloons with most spread TTIP myths printed on them Continuing its Myth-busting mission, LYMEC initiated a TTIP Action Day throughout Europe on May 16, 2015. Liberal youth organisations from all over Europe took part in the Action day to show what the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership is really about and advocate its benefits for European citizens. LYMEC president Vedrana Gujic explains the concept: “TTIP is one of the most misunderstood words in Europe today. With so much misinformation and misunderstandings of its causes and consequences, LYMEC decided to launch a mythbusting campaign and give European public the information about the negotiating agreement based on facts and reality, rather than fears and prejudice. As true internationalists and free traders, young European Liberals strongly believe that the EU-US trade partnership will boost our economy and create growth and jobs in Europe. The removal of all trade barriers and regulatory obstacles and the mutually shared high standards will create the world largest free trade area.”
“The ongoing discussions in the public arena are diverting the focus from the benefits of free trade, which is a ground stone of this partnership, to irrational fears and basic protectionist instincts to close our markets. Our intention is to bring back rationality to the discussion and put in the frontline not just the arguments in favour of the TTIP, but also to address the critical and constructive efforts the EU is taking in order to both secure our high EU standards in these negotiations and gain additional benefits for the EU economy in this trade partnership.” After a successful Action Day, the Myth-busting mission continued as an online campaign on LYMEC’s Twitter and Facebook accounts. Sharing graphics with facts on the TTIP and explaining popular misinformation about the agreement, the online campaign was endorsed and shared
by the Transatlantic Business Council (@TABC) and @EU_TTIP_TEAM. During ALDE Group’s and LYMEC’s Summer Academy, a second campaign video explaining LYMEC’s position on the TTIP prior to the debate in the European Parliament was shot. The video was shared on social media and reached 11,500 views. The successful campaign will continue as an online campaign, while LYMEC is planning to engage young entrepreneurs in its campaign, making sure that young liberal people’s opinions are heard in this public discussion. Gujic is proud of the TTIP campaign: “We gathered a strong and united Liberal family to work together and promote one of the key liberal ideas – the idea of free trade – jointly advocating TTIP with a strong basis on rational and fact-based arguments, rather than myths and fears.” LYMEC’s TTIP Myth-busting campaign will continue with additional roundtables, conferences, videos, and action days in the course of 2015. Please visit our social media to find graphic and video campaign materials. For more details contact LYMEC Campaigns Officer Jelena at jelena@lymec.eu
Jelena Jesajana LYMEC Campaigns Officer
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© Moritz E. Trebin
© ILGA
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INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
An energising force:
Individual Members across Europe In the first Liberal Bulletin of this year, Julie Cantalou, Chairwoman of the Steering Committee of Individual Members, introduced you to this thriving and pioneering structure of ALDE Party. Today, national coordinators, who volunteer to expand the liberal message across Europe, are leading more than 1,400 members. In Germany, for example, events between individual members and liberal politicians led to the introduction of English in the city administration of Düsseldorf, making it easier to communicate with public services. Five other cities will do the same and the FDP has adopted this proposal as part of their national programme. As Chris Pyak, coordinator for Germany, tells us “expatriates are liberalminded but have trouble connecting with German society. ALDE Party can be a bridge between Europeans moving to Germany and local cosmopolitans in the FDP”. This strategy is successful: membership has doubled in the second quarter of 2015. In Italy, individual members, led by Yuri Guaiana, have organised more than ten events during the first semester of 2015 in cities such as Milan, Turin, Verona, Veneto and Sicily. As he says, “the most important thing is politics. Only through the ALDE Party individual members we can hope to unite the Italian liberal family again and deliver the liberal policies that the
country desperately needs”. In the last quarter, membership in Italy grew by 35%. In Slovenia, activities started last year. The first meeting took place in Ljubljana with the participation of ALDE Vice-President Lousewies van der Laan and Felicita Medved, the President of ELF. After this high-level meeting, events are being organised by Anja Fabiani, with the focus on promoting liberal solutions with a European perspective to local problems. As she mentions, these events “give us a fresh push to jump into the water, and we would like to enjoy further, swimming together with people that bring added value with a European and global liberal perspective”. In Belgium, individual members are organising several events in addition to the monthly liberal drinks. On 22 September, MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk hosts an event on “Creating a success story: A Liberal approach for 21st century challenges” with the participation of several individual members as speakers, amongst others former MEP Andrew Duff. Fabio Bauer, coordinator for Belgium, says that “individual members are striving to influence European and Party politics directly. Now we need to get further organised and start to deliver”. In October, individual members in Belgium are invited to participate in the workshop “Participation and Strategy for 2016” where the programme of activities for 2016 will be developed. - 11 -
In Greece, promoting individual membership can be both critical and challenging these days. Having been disenchanted by governmental decisions and exhausted by repetitive election processes, the Greeks psychologically tend towards more conservative choices. On the other hand, liberalism as a political ideology and as a choice has largely been demonised mostly by left-wing politicians. Despoina Limniotaki, coordinator on Crete says: “one has to carefully choose the words to make liberal ideas intelligible rather than bewildering, provide citizens with examples of how liberal decisions can have an impact on people’s everyday lives, setting them free rather than trapping them in a vicious circle of false promises or lost hopes. We have to act educationally rather than intimidate potential members and future voters. Our role as a co-ordinator is an all-encompassing experience: creating pathways through personal connections, encouraging people to re-interpret situations, building resilience, providing new schemata of the world around and keeping a realistically optimistic attitude that can really set a paradigm for generations to come.” Individual members across Europe are energising the Liberal movement. They are at the frontlines of liberalism, engaging with future voters, community leaders, and politicians. Above all, they are a concrete example of how liberalism can offer a living and positive vision for European integration. For more information on individual membership, please visit: www.aldeparty.eu/en/members/ associate-membership .
Anja Fabiani (Slovenia), Yuri Guaiana (Italy), Chris Pyak (Germany), Despoina Limniotaki (Greece) and Fabio Bauer (Belgium, editor)
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Greece referendum:
ALDE Party’s campaign to save Greece Many European leaders called for a yes vote on the 5 June referendum in Greece, including ALDE Party President Sir Graham Watson, who said we need to seize: “the chance to realise a modern and reformed Greece.” However, the results saw 61% of Greek citizens rejecting the demands by the country’s EU-IMF creditors. The Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, said the mandate that Greeks had given him was to reach a viable solution rather than clash with Europe. In the aftermath of the Greek referendum, the ALDE Party launched a campaign to save Greece. The purpose of the campaign was to gather online signatures on the website www.savegreece.eu in order to remind world leaders and the rest of Europe why we needed to save Greece. Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the ALDE Group in the European Parliament speaking during a debate with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Wednesday 8 July, said: “I am angry Mr Tsipras, because let’s face it. We have been sleepwalking towards a Grexit. For five years now. And the past months we are even running towards it, with our eyes open.” Following the special Eurozone summit on 7 July, Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas said: “The message to Alexis Tsipras could not have been clearer: serious Greek commitments are needed for progress. Time is running out,” while Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte emphasised: “If things stay the way they are, then we’re at an impasse. There is no other choice, they must be ready to accept deep reforms”. The campaign gathered around 1,300 signatures and for the moment Greece remains in the Eurozone. However, the leader of Syriza resigned as Prime Minister at the end of August and called again for snap elections in Greece, which will take place on 20 September.
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I am angry Mr Tsipras, because let’s face it. We have been sleepwalking towards a Grexit. For five years now. And the past months we are even running towards it, with our eyes open - 12 -
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A selection of the best from the ALDE Party newsletter Liberal Eyes and our social media
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second issue - 2015
Liberal movers and shakers Anneli Jäätteenmäki was elected as Vice-President of the European Parliament and took over from fellow Centre Party member Olli Rehn, who was elected to the Finnish Parliament in April. Jäätteenmäki was elected to the European Parliament for the first time in 2004 and was re-elected in 2009 and 2014. In the 2004 EP elections, she received over 140,000 votes, the highest individual tally in Finland. Dorin Chirtoacă, from ALDE Party member Partidul Liberal, was re-elected as Mayor of Chisinau, capital of Moldova. Chirtoacă won after a second round of local elections in June. During Mayor Chirtoacă’s time in office, Moldova’s capital has undergone significant improvements, including proper investment in infrastructure such as roads and trolley buses, which have significantly eased everyday life for its citizens.
Tim Farron was elected by the party membership as the new leader of the UK Liberal Democrats with 56.5% of the vote. The new leader held his first rally on 16 July where he addressed hundreds of party activists for the first time as their leader, pledging to follow the example of other liberal parties in Europe and build and rise to strength again. Since the General Election in May 2015, more than 15,000 new members have joined the party. Mikhail Kasyanov was elected the sole party leader of PARNAS, ALDE Party member party and leading opposition voice in Russia. During the same party congress in July, the party’s name was officially shortened from RPR-PARNAS to just PARNAS. Previously, Kasyanov had been a cochairman of RPR-PARNAS alongside Boris Nemtsov, who was murdered in Moscow in February. - 14 -
second issue - 2015
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