Dakar 2018
Congress welcomes the continued work and ambition of the European liberals to demonstrate unity at times when the European project is continued to be challenged by the populists from the extreme left and extreme right, and existential questions arising from Brexit, the threats to the rule of law in Hungary and Poland, rising disinformation and the continued illegal occupation by Russia in Ukraine and Georgia.
LI recognises the importance of the work of Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Party and its constituent member parties within the European Parliament, European Commission and the European Council, and recognises that liberals have never been so well-represented in governments in Europe and around the European Council table.
LI offers its support to ALDE and LI member parties in Europe ahead of the crucial elections to the European Parliament in 2019 and expresses support to the Campaign Team of prominent European liberals who will be endorsed in early 2019 to lead the campaign.
LI wholeheartedly welcomes the vision for a more liberal Europe as outlined in the 2019 ALDE Party manifesto for the European Elections that was adopted on 10 November, and agrees that authoritarian, nationalist and populist movements within the EU seeking to undermine the openness, pluralism and tolerance at the heart of the European project, make the need for a strong Liberal Europe all the more necessary.
LI expresses hope that ALDE together with like-minded liberal forces in Europe will succeed across Europe and come together in the new European Parliament as an even stronger force for a liberal Europe.
Liberal International congratulates the Liberals of Andorra for demonstrating extraordinary capacity by hosting the historic 61st Congress at which the Andorra Liberal Manifesto for the 21st Century was adopted. For the liberals all nations are equal in the international relations. Andorra can prosper as nation through respect of its uniqueness and integration in the regional and international structures. Liberal International expresses firm support for fostering the Lisbon Treaty of the European Union and for development of special relationships of the EU with its neighboring countries. Congress calls for EU Association Agreements with the small European states, including Andorra, taking into account their specificities and the principle of weighted reciprocity. Joint aim of the liberals is access to the Single Market in fair conditions.
Congress acknowledges the progress that has been made in the last 4 years in Belgium under a liberal prime minister and with LI member parties Open Vld and Mouvement Réformateur in government. Far-reaching fiscal reforms and a boom in job creation show that combining liberal forces leads to better governance for all citizens. The Belgian federal government has, furthermore, launched a 150 billion Euro investment plan in order to boost strategic fields such as cyber security, digitalization, healthcare system, energy transition and mobility policy. As the country is getting ready for new elections in May 2019, Belgium will also become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. During its two-year mandate, Belgium will try to build on her national tradition of dialogue to foster consensus within the Security Council. A specific focus will be put on the promotion of the instrument of mediation and the protection of civilians and children in conflicts.
Liberal International calls upon the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus and upon all other involved parties to seize the final window of opportunity offered for the reunification of Cyprus through the prompt resumption of negotiations on the basis of the 6 point framework of SG Antonio Guterres and through the attainment of an agreed settlement upon conclusion of the negotiations.
In this regard, Liberal International welcomes the decision of the two leaders to meet on 26th October 2018, as well as the initiation of a second round of consultations with the parties by the personal envoy of the UN Secretary General, Mrs Jane Holl Lute.
The discovery and potential exploitation of hydrocarbons in the Exclusive economic zone of Cyprus should be utilised as a catalyst towards the attainment of an agreed solution reunifying Cyprus, leading to win solutions on the island;
In this regard our member party United Democrats had proposed that a first pipeline should be constructed from Aphrodite in block 12 –first discovery- to the shores of Cyprus, so that Cypriot natural gas could be used by both communities in Cyprus for the production of electricity and the boosting of economic activity and prosperity in the whole island.
In Denmark local and regional elections were held in November. Radikale Venstre was able to secure a seat in 83 out of 98 municipalities, which was an increase from 71 at the 2013 election. From a liberal standpoint, is also worth noticing, that the local elections saw a fall in the support to the nationalistic and xenophobic party. On a national level the last 18 months unfortunately saw an increase in legislation limiting the freedoms of refugees, minorities and migrants living in Denmark.
In September a new media-law was passed, which severely cuts the budget of the Danish public service provider, the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR), reducing the number of non for profit radio and television channels. The new law also limits DR’s ability to produce longer in depth articles for its media website.
Liberal International is concerned by the change in Arctic areas owing to global warming and climate change. Congress extends support for Finland as a chair of Arctic Council (until 2019), to promote environmental protection, stability, vitality and viability and the wellbeing of inhabitants’ in the Arctic Region. Arctic questions are global issues and so all nations should see and understand the changes. LI calls on all the countries that are working for Arctic to find common solutions for future, where sustainability is the first issue. We cannot forget the fragility of the region and the impact its change will have on us all.
Congress is seriously concerned by the alarming signs of informal ruling by the former Prime Minister Ivanishvili that hampers development of democratic institutions in Georgia. The statements on Georgian-Russian war by the pseudo-independent presidential candidate supported by the ruling party are in line with the Russian propaganda and seriously damage the county’s international reputation. Russia’s continued occupation of Georgian territories and strengthening hybrid war in Georgia, makes it of the utmost importance for the Georgian government not to damage country’s interests with irresponsible statements from the government-backed candidate. Congress is deeply concerned by such developments and urges authorities in Georgia to distance themselves from the messages that damage country’s international reputation. Liberal International supports the efforts of the Republican Party and other pro-democracy groups to continue its fight for democracy, pluralism, progress and personal freedoms in Georgia.
Congress congratulates Germany’s FDP, LI member for almost 70 years and one of its oldest member parties, for its great general-election success on 24th September 2017 recording one of the Free Democrats’ best-ever results by securing 80 Members of Parliament. Although the party crashed out not only of German federal government as junior partner but also the Bundestag, the German parliament, at the 2013 elections FDP subsequently undertook a comprehensive and diligent review and rebounded strikingly 4 years later. Among the priorities under the new party leadership, the FDP called for fundamental turnarounds in German politics. By targeting six essential goals FDP campaigned on a staunch liberal agenda focussing on liberal values such as self-determination, freedom, and promoting human rights worldwide. LI Congress shares the Free Democrat’s concerns at the lacklustre preparedness for significant reforms by the other parties in Germany, which made it impossible to form an unprecedented government of Christian Democrats, Liberals and Greens. Liberal International expresses hope and confidence that FDP, occupying the centre ground of German politics, will successfully contest in the upcoming elections on state level and to the European Parliament regaining stronger parliamentary representation. With leading party representatives having played an active role in the growth and development of Liberal International throughout the years, Liberal International acclaims the Free Democrats to continue fighting for a free, democratic, prosperous, and united Europe and applauds FDP for being a strong and reliable advocate for liberal principles worldwide in the face of growing global responsibilities incumbent on Europe.
Congress also commends the FDP’s stance on environmental issues: Germany’s Free Democrats are confident that freedom, individual opportunities, and economic prosperity are not in contradiction to a clean environment. Not the goal but the measures to achieve it distinguishes the Free Democrats from other environmentalists. FDP relies on the social market economy for environmental protection, which has proven its efficiency repeatedly. But above all, it relies on freedom instead of coercion. Market incentives to companies and individuals are the right answer to environmental issues while central planning wastes resources and limits freedom of choice.
Liberal International welcomes the fact that our member party in Gibraltar continues to be a part of the Government there. We welcome the establishment of a Ministry for Equality in Gibraltar for the first time and the progressive legislation given effect to over the years, including equalising the age of consent, civil partnerships and then equal marriage, bullying at work, IVF for all couples including same sex, hate crime laws, disability laws modelled on the UN Convention, recognition of transgender persons, laws upholding breastfeeding in public places and a strategy to reduce the gender pay gap. Liberal International notes that in 2016 96% of Gibraltar voted to remain in the European Union and calls for a sensible, an orderly and a well-managed Brexit overall, but in particular in relation to Gibraltar. There are ten million tourists a year, thousands of residents and 13,000 frontier workers of every EU nationality a day who rely on fluid passage over the land border between Gibraltar and Spain. The interests and the livelihood of the people of Gibraltar and of the neighbouring region should be protected once the UK and Gibraltar have left the European Union.
Liberal International reiterates once more that the future of Gibraltar must be freely and democratically determined by the people of Gibraltar.
The last general election in Ireland was held in February 2016 in which LI member Fianna Fáil made a good recovery and gained 25 seats following the drastic, punishing election following the global downturn of the 2008-2010 period.
Although Ireland managed to recover its macroeconomic figures and to increase employment, Congress is concerned about the challenges in Housing and Health services, high child poverty rates and the fact that Ireland is still indebted so that fiscal restraints are still a reality.
Congress commends that Ireland held a referendum on abortion rights for women which was endorsed by the vast majority of people (66%). Congress also welcomes LI member Fianna Fail’s determination to ensure that Ireland meets its climate change targets by 2030.
Congress notes that Ireland stands to be affected by Brexit more so than any other EU member state. LI urges the EU and the UK to avoid a hard border at all means as this would be coupled with the prospect of a significant and damaging change in Ireland’s trading relationship with the UK and poses a threat to the peace process in Northern Ireland. LI further demands that the human rights of citizens in Northern Ireland will be protected.
Congress welcomes the understanding and solidarity from all EU member states in the negotiations and the efforts of the EU negotiation team to ensure that Ireland’s unique and special circumstances are reflected in the negotiations and the final Brexit deal.
Congress welcomes the signing of the Greece/Macedonia name agreement, as stated in the Resolution adopted by the 200th Executive Committee meeting in Berlin, which answers the Greek concerns while preserving the Macedonian national and cultural identity. The historical breakthrough made by Athens and Skopje sets an excellent model for resolving sensitive disputes while respecting different perceptions of one’s right to self-determination and perseverance of identity. Liberal International calls for speedy and full implementation of the Agreement by both parties and for Macedonian integration in NATO and EU based on the fulfilled criteria.
Congress commends LI members D66 and VVD who joined forces in a majority coalition government in October 2017 in the Netherlands. After the longest ever negotiation period (208 days), D66 and VVD signed a coalition agreement with the Christian parties CDA and Christen Unie.
Congress welcomes the landmark vote on organ donor registration allowing for an increase in the number of organs available for donations, which benefits those on waiting lists for transplantations. Congress also applauds the agreement on the Climate Act that gives priority to reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement. Apart from instituting an annual Climate Day of accountability, the Climate Act aims to reach carbon emissions in 2050 of a level 95% lower than in 1990 and 100% CO2 neutral electricity production in 2050.
Congress acknowledges that the current as well as the former government policies of structural reforms and fiscal discipline led to the economic progress and growth the Netherlands has today.
Last January the Netherlands became temporary member of the United Nations Security Council. Congress applauds the Minister of Foreign Affairs (VVD) and the Minister of Foreign trade and Development Cooperation (D66) for submitting an unanimously supported resolution to ban starvation as a weapon of war and notes with appreciation that the Netherlands succeeded to put climate change on the agenda as a security threat, placing it among the dangers such as nuclear threats and terrorism. Congress stresses that once again it was demonstrated that international cooperation is needed to address cross-border issues as climate change.
Liberal International urges the government of the Russian Federation to return their Country to the path of democracy and respect all international standards of rule of law, human rights, democratic procedures, freedom of speech and freedom of opinion. LI calls the Russian authorities to abide by the international treaties signed by the Russian Federation in preserving peace in the world and integrity of the states. LI calls on the Russian government to abolish support of separatists in eastern Ukraine and to end its occupation of Crimea. Liberal International expresses its concern over the situation with human rights in Russia, which demonstrates Russia’s violation and negligence of its obligations undertaken in signing the Declaration of Human Rights and other international treaties. LI calls the Russian government to stop suppression of the freedom of speech and freedom of assembly and political reprisals against the dissenting, imprisonment of political opponents and opposition, torture and humiliation of prisoners, intimidation of civil society and NGOs, pressure and intimidation of independent journalists, election fraud and manipulation with public opinion with lies regularly broadcast by state-owned mass media. Congress deplores the harsh reaction of authorities in Russia against peaceful demonstrations with beatings of demonstrators and numerous arrests. Congress calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Russia. LI expresses its solidarity with Yabloko and other pro-democracy groups in their efforts to restore true democracy and freedom of speech to their great Country. LI also condemns Russian government’s use of deceitful propaganda and attempts to manipulate public opinion so that to undermine peace and stability in Europe. LI reiterates that Russia was one of the nations that undertook to guarantee peace and stability in Europe after the World War II. Congress joins LI full member party Yabloko in calling the Russian government to withdraw troops from Syria and stop Russia’s support for the barbarous Assad regime.
LI expresses solidarity with its member party Yabloko defending the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law despite daily intimidation, harassment and prosecution by the Russian authorities, in many cases ending with unfair trials and political imprisonment. Congress calls on the Russian authorities to release the political prisoners, organise free and fair elections and abolish the authoritarian vector of Russia’s development.
The elections in Sweden were historical in the meaning of the backdrop of socialism and at the same time the populist and anti-migration movement’s gaining more ground – even if not as much as feared. Congress observes that the trend is that liberal values are gaining bigger political space. Both liberal parties in Sweden increased; Liberalerna and Centerpartiet became bigger and now are playing a very important role in the negotiations for governmental formation. Sticking to liberal values, standing up for freedom, human rights and decency – holding on and keeping politics close to people’s hopes and dreams seems to be a successful approach in elections.
LI applauds this striking electoral success of both Centerpartiet and Folkpartiet Liberalerna.
The past year in United Kingdom politics has been infected by a stalemate in the UK-EU Brexit deal.
On Sunday 25th November the UK cabinet reached a deal with the EU Council on a detailed withdrawal agreement and a non-binding summary document outlining a future relationship. The deal would effectively leave the U.K. inside a customs union with the EU until such time that an alternative arrangement can guarantee a soft border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
However as of 30th of November it looks unlikely that the UK government can achieve the necessary parliamentary majority to seal the deal.
Should the deal fall the response of the UK parliament will be crucial. If it fails to act the UK will crash out of the EU without a deal. The alternative is for parliament to insist on a new referendum with remaining in the EU as one of the options.
It is likely that the EU would grant the UK a short extension for this purpose. Hence at the time of this Congress there are still three possible outcomes: Theresa May’s negotiated withdrawal, a hard Brexit or No Brexit at all. The position of the Liberal Democrats is that this referendum should take place and that we will campaign strongly for the UK, which includes Gibraltar, to remain a full and active member of the EU.
The Government’s “hostile environment” policies designed to deter “illegal” immigration that impacted the Windrush generation as a consequence – people who arrived in the UK from 1948 onwards – was also a determining point for the Tories’ diminishing support.
The ‘Windrush Scandal’ wrongly deported people from the UK by the Home Office, many of whom were born in and/or arrived in the UK before 1973, without having a British citizenship. Members from the Windrush generation, particularly of Caribbean origin were wrongfully detained, jobs and homes lost and were also denied the medical care to which they were entitled. The scandal further led to the resignation of the Home Secretary in April 2018. The Windrush scandal created a wider debate about British immigration policy that further has stipulated the concerns on institutional racism in the UK, but also the immigration policies of Brexit. Furthermore, the uncertainty of the Labour Party’s position on Brexit has also created a stalemate in the UK parliament. Anti-Semitic remarks made from the Party have been questioned and no public explanation from his side has been heard.
Other polls also indicate a slight shift from leave to remain. This gives campaigns such as ‘People’s Vote’ more legitimacy to work towards a new vote on the final deal, something that the Liberal Democrats have advocated from early Brexit negotiations. Giving the Britons a final say on the deal, following recent polls, are the most democratic way to go about Brexit. However, Theresa May is firm in her position that such scenario is not an option, continuously showing worrisome attitude for the democratic process and on the future for UK staying in the EU. The denial of the Chequers Plan in the most recent EU-meeting in Salzburg on the 20th of September by EU leaders puts May in a more difficult position to push her ‘hard’ Brexit into practice.
