The latest special edition of The Liberal Dispatch brings together voices from across the liberal international network at a decisive electoral moment, as critical elections around the world test the resilience of democratic institutions and the future of liberal politics. In Thailand, Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, long-serving leader of the Democrat Party, reflects on a hard-fought election that underscores both the persistence of political polarisation and the enduring space for integrity and liberal democratic values. From Morocco, Minister Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, Member of Parliament for the Authenticity and Modernity Party, situates the country’s upcoming legislative elections within a wider global crisis of representation, arguing for a liberalism grounded in social cohesion and institutional continuity.
In Brazil, Fábio Ostermann, former State Representative, and Secretary for Institutional Affairs of the NOVO Party, frames the 2026 elections as a decisive reckoning between statist decline and a rising liberal opposition centred on reform and economic freedom. Meanwhile, in the United States, Matthew McMillan, award-winning global political consultant, and President of BuzzMaker, explores tensions within the Democratic coalition as it balances defending democratic norms with addressing voters’ economic concerns amid growing geopolitical strain.
Finally, in Iceland, Pawel Bartoszek, Member of Alþingi and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, examines the renewed debate on European Union membership as part of a broader reassessment of alliances in an uncertain world. His contribution highlights how, for smaller states, economic integration is increasingly tied to security and resilience.
Across these perspectives, a clear message emerges: in this pivotal electoral year, liberalism is being tested – but also reshaped – as it seeks to adapt, rebuild trust, and offer credible answers to a changing world.
Calling Liberal Contributors
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