Andorra 2017
North America
LI applauds the approval of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the EU. The trade deal has the potential to set new standards for global trade and boost growth and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. Congress recognizes that Canada wants to be a leader when it comes to progressive, open and rule-based trade. In order to face challenges with regard to President Trump’s trade agenda as he withdrew from Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and plans to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Justin Trudeau appointed former Minister of International Trade Chrystia Freeland as foreign minister of Canada. LI also applauds Canada’s continuous effort to drastically accelerate the entry of refugees from Syria.
LI notes the democratic decision of the American people to elect Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States of America. Immediately after his inauguration, President Trump began to put some of his controversial electoral promises into practice. Some of the President’s initiatives, such as the plan to build a wall on the border with Mexico, the implementation of a travel ban for citizens from Muslim-majority countries, as well as the withdrawal of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the planned renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) are of specific concern for LI. Congress stresses that the political developments in the US must not threaten the liberal world order at any point. As the driving force of globalization and a guarantor of freedom for years, the US has to remain an important ally of the liberal international community. Therefore, Congress underlines that an ongoing dialogue with the US is of integral importance.
Latin America
Liberal International recognises the fundamental changes that are taking place in the political and ideological orientation in Latin America. Congress welcomes the shift towards more liberal and especially more democratic governments, and congratulates the work of Red Liberal de America Latina in this direction. For 15 years a significant number of countries in the region were ruled by dictatorial and authoritarian governments, beginning with the rise to power of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela in February 1999. The project of expansion and consolidation of the populist-left “Forum Sao Paolo” and the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA) has been halted. Cuba, Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Venezuela continue to be led by obviously authoritarian left regimes, while “Kirchnerism” lost in Argentina, Dilma Rousseff was impeached as President of Brazil, due to extensive illegal manipulations of the government spending, and the candidate supported by Rafael Correa in Ecuador was tied in a neck-and-neck race with opposition candidate Guillermo Lasso, who according to official authorities lost the elections in the 2nd round only by a narrow margin. The official results are currently being contested for alleged election fraud. Congress expresses its hopes that a re-examination of the election process and the ballot papers is done in a transparent way and will establish a clear winner soon.
Liberal International is encouraged by the revitalisation of the democratic centre of the region. Congress applauds the victories of Mauricio Macri in Argentina and Pedro Pablo Kuczynksi in Peru marking the beginning of fundamental changes. Both leaders had their election campaigns and governance principles clearly aligned with market economy, democracy based on the defence of the rule of law and the Human Rights, respect for private property, dialogue with the opposition, respect for the minorities and press freedom. Argentina’s President Macri, and his cabinet that includes Union por la Libertad, demonstrates persistence in his positions despite the obstinate opposition of the populist Kirchenerism. The presidents of Colombia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay the follow similar policies with some differences and nuances.
Congress notes that the corruption scandal surrounding the state-controlled oil company, Petrobras, in which the construction company Odebrecht is mainly involved, is not only extended to a lot of other Latin American countries such as Argentina, Peru, Panama, Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic, but also to South Africa over Angola and Mozambique. The investigations have exposed the depths of corruption in a way that had not been seen before. Top executives of the Brazilian construction giant confessed in detail of the bribery scheme granting them important public works contracts from the various governments. Liberal International sees this as an opportunity for political renewal, especially in Brazil with its 35 political parties. Liberals are committed to remain as a voice for concerned citizens disillusioned by the reality of public servants abusing their position for political power, influence and personal monetary gain. Liberals will continue to push for the effective separation of powers leading to an independent judiciary that can sanction those who violate the law, as well as for strengthened institutions that can increase transparency and minimize the risk corrupt activities. The Liberal International observes sympathetically the efforts of some small, new liberal program parties, like the NOVO party, for doing transparent and efficient politics. Congress stresses the necessity to combat corruption on all levels in order to keep citizens’ trust in political institutions.
Congress reiterates that democracy has to be actively upheld daily. Congress calls on vigilance on the links between Latin America and the United States under the presidency of Donald Trump, in particular on the tensions with Mexico and the implications on the region.
Congress is also concerned about trends in the region to disregard constitutional prerogatives in various countries. This includes not only the attempts of re-election by Bolivian president Evo Morales, but also the legally doubtful efforts of political groups in Paraguay and Honduras to seek a currently unconstitutional re-election of serving presidents or former presidents. LI calls on all politicians to respect constitutional principles and seek constitutional amendments only in a broad democratic dialogue respecting the legal framework of their countries.
LI appreciates the administration’s success in internal security as result of the decisive efforts of Patricia Bullrich as national minister of security. Congress expresses hope that the upcoming mid-
term elections in Argentina will strengthen the alliance of CAMBIEMOS and especially Union por la Libertad as an essential liberal part of the alliance thus giving Macri’s administration the support it needs in order to deepen the reforms necessary to stabilise and liberate the economy. LI applauds the new Argentinean administration for bringing the country back into the international legal and financial framework and reversing the trend of economic isolation. At the same time, it hopes to see not only a replacement of populist rhetoric with citizen-oriented policies but implementation of continued reforms to create an open and inclusive society.
Liberal International welcomes that the impeachment in Brazil has shown that its democratic institutions are strong. The new, not elected, President Michel Temer is trying hard to push important economic, social and labour reforms to get Brazil out of the huge economic crises as soon as possible. However, he and a considerable part of his government members are suspected, or accused of corruption by having received illegal campaign funding, just like a reasonable number of the parliamentarians in the Brazilian National Congress. Congress is aware that it could be possible, that Temer will not finish his mandate.
Liberal International recalls that the President of Bolivia Evo Morales lost the referendum on indefinite re-election, and urges him to fully respect the popular will. Running for re-election will be a clear violation of the national constitution and disrespect of the people which have already expressed their opinion at the ballot boxes. Congress emphases the need for unity among the democratic opposition parties to achievable a victory against populism at the next presidential elections in Bolivia.
Noting the progress made by Chile over the coming years, Liberal International expresses hope that the presidential elections in November will offer a new possibility for the liberals in the country to increase their influence and importance.
Liberal International welcomes the peace Agreement signed by the Government of Colombia and the FARC guerrilla to put an end to the decades of military conflict. However, it notes that the agreement raises important challenges. Congress stresses the importance of preserving the democratic and constitutional tradition of the country, with regards to the rule of law, the respect for pluralism, and the effective protection of fundamental rights and economic, civil and political freedoms. Post-conflict reforms must foster institutional strengthening throughout the territory, especially in the most vulnerable areas. The creation of favourable conditions for economic development, private initiative and social progress is indispensable. In the absence of institutions capable of upholding effective democracy, phenomena such as corruption and organized crime, legal insecurity, social discontent and political instability could jeopardise both the expectations of peace and democratic continuity, and recent achievements in the realms of social policy, economic growth and wider recognition of individual liberties.
Liberal International recalls that Cuba represents an oppressive regime which has developed and grown during the Cold War. The only way to achieve a change on the island is to modify a wide range of difficult factors. Raúl Castro’s government, who controls the army and the communist party with an iron grip, makes it nearly impossible with continuous ownership of 95% of the economy and controls social and cultural life. The “reforms” are cosmetic and, with the exception of new migration rules, touch only marginal areas of daily life in the country. Congress urges the international community to be unequivocal in its call on Cuban authorities to implement needed reforms that enable a transition to democracy under the rule of law and a free society. These must include a full amnesty for all political prisoners, reform of the Constitution and Penal Code to adhere to international human rights standards, and a reasonable timeline to hold free and multiparty elections under international supervision.
Congress expresses concern over the social and political tension in Ecuador in the aftermath of the first round of the presidential elections when the candidate supported by the outgoing president Rafael Correa did not achieve the expected victory.
Congress expresses support to the Liberal Party of Honduras and its presidential candidate Luis Zelaya ahead of the upcoming general election in November. LI stresses that the importance of contribution of the Honduran liberals towards strengthening of liberalism in Central America and the whole region.
Congress calls on the authorities of Mexico to address the severe crisis caused by drug trafficking and gang conflicts, in close cooperation with the countries from Central America that uphold the democratic standards. Congress understands that one of the major causes of the grave domestic problems in Mexico is its weak judiciary and impunity combined with corruption. LI urges the Mexican government to take serious measures against corruption and impunity.
LI expresses its sincere concern about the violence in Paraguay in the relation to the constitutional amendment and the attacks on the opposition Liberal Party, resulting in the death at the hands of the police of the Young Liberal leader. A liberal democracy is not compatible with any violence. Thus Congress appeals to all actors involved to follow democratic, transparent and non-violent principles. Any amendment of the constitution must respect the democratic institutions and should be followed in strict accordance to the principle of rule of rule and the existing constitution of Paraguay.
Liberal International reiterates its demand that the Nicaraguan government complies with its international commitments in the area of human rights and individual freedoms, in particular to restore citizens’ rights to effective suffrage, guaranteeing free, transparent and monitored elections as a first step towards restoring democracy and preserving peace. LI will follow with special attention the municipal electoral process of November 2017, which must be carried out in conditions of freedom and with full compliance of the agreements between the government of Daniel Ortega and the Secretary General of the OAS to allow the effective electoral observation.
Russia´s growing military presence in Nicaragua should be taken very seriously by the international community as it frightens neighboring countries and poses a direct threat to security in a conflict-laden region with a long history of cold-war-era wars and gang-related violence.
LI expresses deep concern about the developments in Venezuela. The autocratic populist regime of Nicolas Maduro resulted in an economic collapse, multiplication of poverty, rise of corruption and destruction of the nation in all areas. Congress is alarmed by the complicity of the high military commands, the nation’s Supreme Court of Justice and the National Election Council. Congress calls for increased attention from the international community for the worrying tendencies in Venezuela and united response by the democratic world. Congress urges the opposition to continue it cohesive and strong response to the regime. Congress is deeply concerned about the latest unconstitutional moves of the Maduro government and the violence used against anti-government demonstrators. LI agrees with the resolutions taken by Mercosur and the OAS regarding the situation in Venezuela calling for the restoration of the constitutional order, division of powers, release of all political prisoners and respect of the electoral calendar.
