CONGRESS MINUTES HELSINKI, 30/31 OCTOBER
1. Opening by the LYMEC president and guests Opening: President of LYMEC, Vedrana Gujic, opens the Congress at 16.55 and welcomes all delegations and guests. Guests: Nils Torvalds, MEP, Swedish People's Party of Finland Jouni Ovaska, Finish Center Party Elisa Tarkiainen, JEF - Young European Federalists Pierre Bornand, Young Democrats for Europe Sir Graham Watson, ALDE president - video message Guy Verhofstadt, Leader ALDE group, MEP, ALDE/Open VLD - video message Sean O’Curneen, Secretary General of ALDE group in COR - video message
2. Roll call and voting rights Igor Caldeira handed in the voting cards to delegates of MOs and IMS present.
Order: Full Member Organisation / Country / Votes Junos Austria 3 Fédération des Etudiants Libéraux Belgium 7 Jeunes Mouvement Réformateur Belgium 9 Jong VLD Belgium 6 Joventut Nacionalista de Catalunya Catalunya 8 Mladi Hrvatske Narodne Stranke Croatia 8 Venstres Ungdom Denmark 6 Estonian Reform Party Youth Estonia 6 Keskustan Opiskelijaliitto Finland 4 Suomen Keskustanuoret Finland 10 Svensk Ungdom – SU Finland 6 Junge Liberale – JuLis Germany 9 LHG Germany 5
Ogra Fianna Fail Ireland 8 Jonge Democraten – JD Netherlands 7 JOVD Netherlands 6 Norges Unge Venstre – NUV Norway 5 Centerpartiets Ungdomsförbund – CUF Sweden 5 Centerstudenter – CS Sweden 3 Liberala Ungdomsförbundet – LUF Sweden 5 Liberal Youth United Kingdom 6 IMS Europe 3 Total Present Votes (total of 168) 135
Quorum 1/2 84 Quorum 2/3 112
Associate Members JDL – Jonk Demokraten Luxemburg Present
Others Attistibai Youth Latvia Present SMC Youth Slovenia Present TLDE Romania Present
3. Appointment of Congress bodies (Chairs, secretaries, scrutineers)
The Bureau proposes Teppo Säkkinen, Matilda Flemming and Olesja Hännikäinen as Congress Chairs and they are elected by the Congress. The elected secretaries are Mitch Devinck, Anni Dahlén and Anniina Sippola. The elected scrutineers are Laura Hämäläinen, Jose Forslund, Kevin Tammearu, Marijn de Pagter, Milan Assies and Dietmar Hertsen.
4. Adoption of the agenda Chairs present the Congress Agenda. Adopted by unanimity.
5. Adoption of minutes from the Congress in Rotterdam Friso Bonga proposes a correction to the minutes. Igor Caldeira explained the mistake on page 14 of the minutes, and the mistake is corrected.
Minutes were adopted with the amendment.
6. Urgency of resolutions
SU – Urgent Resolution on applying the criteria for Humanitarian Visa in all EU Member States Björn Bonsdorff presented the resolution and why it is urgent. Marijn de Pagter questions the urgency. Björn Bonsdorff answered in favor of the urgency. Marijn de Pagter made an argument against the urgency. Ida Schauman made a point for the urgency. The resolution was deemed urgent.
JDL – Urgent Resolution on the Tobacco Products Directive Michael Agostini presented the resolution and why it is urgent. Kevin Tammearu questioned the urgency. Michael Agostini answered. Kevin Tammearu made a point against the urgency. The resolution was not deemed urgent.
JNC – Urgent Resolution on Juridical Independence Victor Colominas presented the resolution and why it is urgent. Hannah Bettsworth made a point in favour of the urgency. The resolution was deemed urgent.
JD – Syria / Adding more oil to the fire Friso Bonga presented the resolution and why it is urgent. Lena Höglund made a point for the urgency. The resolution was deemed urgent.
7. Snap vote on the order of resolutions
Matilda Flemming explains the snap vote rules and procedures.
TITLE Number of Votes JD - Syria 49
JD - Resolution on a harmonized common EU asylum policy 46
FCY, ERPY - Resolution on common foreign policy towards Russia 45
LHG - Resolution on a welcoming student culture courses for refugees 45
Ógra Fianna Fáil - Resolution on Securing Rural Economies 45
Bureau - Resolution on youth employment 42
Swedish Youth (SU) - Resolution Towards a Sustainable Future 37
SU - Urgent Resolution on Applying the criteria for Humanitarian Visa in all EU member states 33
Junos, JuLis - Resolution on Levelling The European Elections 32
YMRF, MLBiH, liDem, LYM - Resolution on EU enlargement 30
JD - Resolution on European fund for sustainable energy 26
Jeunes MR, FEL - Resolution on Precautionary principle on shale gas extraction 25
JD - Resolution on Copenhagen Criteria Control Cycle 23
JUNOS, JD, LY - Resolution on Supporting European Foreign Trade and Liberal Democracy 22
JNC - Urgent Resolution on Juridical Independence 19
YMRF, MLBiH, liDem, LYM - Resolution on migration in EU 18
JD - Resolution on the regulation and legalization of MDMA 16
Swedish Youth (SU) - Resolution Ban ships sewage in the Baltic Sea 13
Jong VLD - Resolution on the Future of the European Unity 12
JD - Resolution on basic principles and goals for an EC environmental policy 10
JD - Resolution on Ideas flow free 7
Jong VLD, Jeunes MR - Resolution on Freedom of Movement 6
Lynneth Mollis - Resolution on arms trade 1
8. LYMEC Bureau reports - for information Vedrana Guijic presented her report. Arvid Plugge made a question for Vedrana Guijic.
Vedrana Guijic answered. Benedikt Bente made a question about Trans-Atlantic co-operation. Vedrana Guijic answered. Ab Brightman made a question about the biggest failure in the work of the Bureau. Vedrana Guijic answered. Ab Brightman made a question about the biggest achievement of the Bureau. Vedrana Guijic answered.
Sissel Kvist presented her report. Hans Maes made a question about the use of social media. Sissel Kvist answered.
Jelena Jesajana presented her report.
Markus Ylimaa presented his report. Hans Maes made a question about training. Markus Ylimaa answered. Friso Bonga made a question about fringes. Markus Ylimaa answered.
Svenja Hahn presented her report. Milan Assies made a question about LYMEC TV. Svenja Hahn answered.
Timo Roeleveld presented his report. Friso Bonga made a question. Timo Roeleveld answered.
Olesja Hännikäinen closes the first day of the Congress.
Igor Caldeira did the first roll call at 9:00am but the quorum wasn’t reached. Igor Caldeira did the second roll call at 9:15am and the quorum was reached with 93 votes present. Order: Full Member Organisation / Country / Votes Fédération des Etudiants Libéraux Belgium 7 Jeunes Mouvement Réformateur Belgium 9
Jong VLD Belgium 6 Venstres Ungdom Denmark 6 Keskustan Opiskelijaliitto Finland 4 Suomen Keskustanuoret Finland 10 Svensk Ungdom – SU Finland 6 Junge Liberale – JuLis Germany 9 LHG – Bundesverband Liberaler Hochschulgruppen Germany 5 Jonge Democraten – JD Netherlands 7 Jongeren Organisatie Vrijheid & Democratie – JOVD Netherlands 6 Norges Unge Venstre – NUV Norway 5 Centerpartiets Ungdomsförbund – CUF Sweden 5 Centerstudenter – CS Sweden 3 Liberala Ungdomsförbundet – LUF Sweden 5 Total Present Votes (total of 168) 93
Olesja Hännikäinen opened the second day of the Congress.
1. Secretary General report - for information Igor Caldeira, Secretary General of LYMEC, presents his report. No questions were raised.
2. Treasurer’s Report - for information Danica Vihinen presents her report.
3. Finances a) Interim financial report 2015 - for information Danica Vihinen presents the interim financial report 2015. Steve Detry made a question about the timetable the report was available for Congress participants. Danica Vihinen answered.
b) Interim internal audit 2015 - for information Marijn de Pagter and Kevin Tammearu presented the interim internal audit 2015. No questions raised.
c) Requests for reduction of Membership Fees – adoption Danica Vihinen presented the proposal for agenda point.
Anna Abrahamsson asked for arguments to take the application to consideration. Jeroen Diepemaat asked for formal vote on whether the Congress takes the application to consideration. Danica Vihinen presents the requests for reduction of Membership Fees and the reduction of the dept from Liberal Democratic Youth, Macedonia. Both were adopted.
d) Proposal for membership fees 2016 – adoption Danica Vihinen presents the proposal from the LYMEC Bureau for Membership fees 2016. Adopted.
e) Draft budget 2016 – adoption Danica Vihinen presents the draft budget for 2016. Jussi Sallinen made a question about LYMEC 40th anniversary expenses. Danica Vihinen answered. Jussi Sallinen made a question about financial risks in the future. Danica Vihinen answered. Adopted.
4. Statutory changes – adoption Vedrana Guijic presented the statutory changes. Adopted.
5. Membership issues a) Applications for membership – adoption
Applications for full membership – adoption - JDL Luxembourg – Full Membership
Claudine Michels presented the application. No questions raised. JDL representatives were asked to leave the room. Timo Roeleveld presented the Bureaus opinion. Friso Bonga asked a question. Timo Roeleveld anwered.
Approved. Igor Caldeira gave the 3 votes corresponding to JDL’s 385 members as a new full
member of LYMEC.
Applications for Associate Membership – adoption - Attistibai Youth
Andris Backurs, Ilze Grinberga and Arturs Toms Pless presented their organization and the application. Ed Sanderson asked a question about civil rights. Ilze Grinberga answered. Krijn van Eeden asked a question. Arturs Toms Pless answered. Attistibai Youth representatives were asked to leave the room. Jelena Jesajana presented the Bureaus opinion to approve the application.
Approved.
- Tineretul Liberalilor și Democraților (TLDE)
Tudor-Tim Ionescu and Raphael Nazaruk presented their organization and the application. Tobias Bashevkin asked a question the values and statues. Tudor-Tim Ionescu answered. Benedikt Yavuz asked a question about the lack of a budget. Tudor-Tim Ionescu answered. Steve Detry asked a question about family rights. Tudor-Tim Ionescu answered. Aurian Delli Pizzi asked a question about minorities. Tudor-Tim Ionescu answered. Sissel Kvist presented the Bureaus opinion to approve the application.
Approved.
- Liberlis Fiatalok Társasága (LIFT)
Sissel Kvist presented the organization and the application.
Approved.
b) Disaffiliations – adoption None was presented.
6. Resolutions – adoption
1. JD – Syria Friso Bonga presents the resolution and answers to questions and remarks.
Amendment 1 by CUF, LUF, SU, NUV presented by Amanda Kanange. Mover is against. People taking the floor: Gerard Peltjes – JD speaks against Vilhelm Nordström – CUF speaks in favor Jukka Koivula – FCY speaks in favor Beret Roots – JuLis speaks in favor Ed Sanderson – IMS speaks in favor Friso Bonga – JD speaks in favor
Amendment is put on vote. Amendment is carried.
Point of order by Timo Roeleveld. The mover approved.
Resolution is put on vote. Resolution is carried.
JD - Resolution on a harmonized common EU asylum policy Milan Assies presents the resolution and answers to questions and remarks.
Amendment 1 by Jong VLD presented by Lotte Vanderstock Mover carried it. Amendment 2 by Jong VLD presented by Hans Maes Mover carried it. Amendment 3 by Jong VLD presented by Lotte Vanderstock
Mover carried it. Amendment 4 by Jong VLD presented by Hans Maes Mover carried it. Amendment 5 by Jeunes MR is withdrawn. Amendment 6 by Jong VLD presented by Hans Maes Mover is against. The amendment is put on vote. Amendment is not carried. Amendment 7 by Jong VLD presented by Lotte Vanderstock Mover carried it. Amendment 8 by JuLis presented Beret Roots Mover carried it. Amendment 9 by CUF, LUF, CS and SU presented by Ida Schauman Mover is against. Amendment is put on vote. Amendment is not carried. Amendment 10 by FEL presented by Gyeval Balint Mover is against. People taking floor Arvid Plugge – JD speaks against Amendment is put on vote. Amendment is not carried.
Lunch break at 12.30 pm.
Igor Caldeira did the roll call after lunch break at 14.00 pm. The quorum was reached with 113 votes.
ALDE vice-president candidate Fredrik Federly speaks to the congress.
Congress proceeds with Resolution on Asylum policy Amendment 11 by CUF, LUF, CS and SU Mover carried it. Amendment 12 by FEL is withdrawn. Amendment 13 by Jong VLD presented by Hans Maes.
Point of order from Anna Abrahamsson on the procedure on substitute amendments
and addition amendments.
Mover is against the amendment. People taking the floor Lukas Schweiger – IMS speaks in favor Ed Sanderson – Liberal Youth speaks against Amendment is put on vote. Amendment is not carried. Amendment 14 by FEL Mover is against. Amendment is put on vote. Amendment is not carried. Amendment 15 by JuLis presented by Benedikt Yavuz Mover carried it. Amendment 16 by Jeunes MR Mover is against. Amendment is put on vote. Amendment is not carried. Amendment 17 by NUV presented by Tobias Bashevkin Mover is against. People taking floor Hans Maes – Jong VLD speaks against Amendment is put on vote. Amendment is not carried. Amendment 18 by NUV is withdrawn.
The mover speaks for the resolution. The resolution is put on vote. The resolution is carried.
Discussion on resolutions is interrupted for approximately thirty minutes, participants having the opportunity to watch the video messages directed at LYMEC by candidates to ALDE Party Presidency and Vice-Presidencies. After this, discussion on resolutions proceeds according to the results of the snap vote.
FCY, ERPY - Resolution on common foreign policy towards Russia Gaspar Shabad presents the resolution and answers to questions and remarks.
Jukka Koivula – FCY speaks in favor
Amendment 1 by NUV presented by Yngve Horvei. Mover speaks against Arvid Plugge – JD speaks in favor Benedikt Yavuz – JuLis speaks against Amendment is put on vote Amendment is not carried. Amendment 2 by Jeunes MR presented by Steve Detry. Mover carried it. Amendment 3 by JD presented by Friso Bonga. Mover carried it. Amendment 4 by Liberal Youth presented by Hannah Bettsworth. Mover wishes for a vote People taking the floor Benedikt Yavuz – JuLis speaks in favor Andrew Martin – Liberal Youth speaks in favor Friso Bonga – JD speaks against Jelena Jesajana – LYMEC Bureau made a comment on the opposition situation in Russia Hannah Bettsworth – Liberal Youth speaks in favor Andrew Martin – Liberal Youth speaks in favor Gaspar Shabad – ERPY speaks against Hannah Bettsworth – Liberal Youth speaks in favor Amendment is put on vote Amendment is not carried. Amendment 5 by FEL presented by Gyevai Balint Mover is against. People taking the floor Simone Mohamsson – LUF speaks against Hans Maes – Jong VLD speaks against Gyevai Balint – FEL speaks in favor Gaspar Shabad – ERPY speaks in favor Hilkka Kemppi – KOL speaks against Amendment is put on vote. Amendment is not carried. Amendment 6 by Jeunes MR presented by Steve Detry. Mover is against.
People taking the floor Friso Bonga – JD speaks in favor Ivan Prandzhev - JUNOS speaks against Amendment is put on vote. Amendment is carried. Amendment 7 by Jeunes MR presented by Steve Detry. Mover is against. People taking the floor Friso Bonga – JD speaks against Steve Detry – Jeunes MR speaks in favor Jeroen Diepemaat – JOVD speaks against Timo Roeleveld – JOVD speaks against Aurian Delli Pizzi – Jeunes MR speaks in favor Tobias Bashevkin – NUV speaks against Gaspar Shabad – ERPY speaks against Amendment is put on vote. Amendment is not carried. Amendment 8 by FEL presented by Gyevai Balint Mover wishes to open the floor for debate. People taking the floor Hans Maes – Jong VLD speaks against Gaspar Shabad – speaks against Amendment is put on vote. Amendment is not carried. Amendment 9 by NUV presented by Tobias Bashevkin. Mover wishes to open the floor for debate. Amendment is put on vote. Amendment is carried. Amendment 10 by JD presented by Friso Bonga. Mover wishes to open the floor for debate. Amendment is put on vote. Amendment is carried.
Mover speaks for the resolution. Resolution is put on vote. Resolution is carried.
LHG - Resolution on a welcoming student culture courses for refugees Daniel Eberz presents the resolution and answers to questions and remarks.
People taking the floor Arvid Plugge – JD speaks against Lena Höglund – SU speaks in favor Hilkka Kemppi – KOL speaks in favor
Amendment 1 by Jeunes MR presented by Aurian Delli Pizzi. Mover wishes to open the floor for debate. Amendment is put on vote. Amendment is carried. Amendment 2 by Svensk Ungdom presented by Lena Höglund. Mover carried it. Amendment 3 by Jeunes MR and FEL presented by Aurian Delli Pizzi. Mover wishes to open the floor for debate. Benedikt Bente – IMS speaks against Simone Mohamsson – LUF speaks against Steve Detry – Jeunes MR speaks in favor Ida Schauman – SU speaks against Hans Maes – Jong VLD speaks against Hilkka Kemppi – KOL speaks against Simone Mohamsson – LUF speaks against Aurian Delli Pizzi – Jeunes MR speaks in favor Amendment is put on vote. Amendment is not carried. Amendment 4 by Svensk Ungdom presented by Lena Höglund. Mover carried it.
Mover speaks for the resolution. Resolution is put on vote. Resolution is carried.
Coffee break at 16.15-16.30 pm.
Ógra Fianna Fáil - Resolution on Securing Rural Economies Keith Henry presents the resolution and answers to questions and remarks.
People taking the floor Ivan Pranzhev – Junos speaks against Lucas Schweiger - IMS speaks against Andrew Martin – Liberal Youth speaks against
Benedikt Yavuz – JuLis Point of order to skip the resolution
Friso Bonga - JD speaks for not skipping the resolution Benedikt Yavuz – JuLis speaks for skipping the resolution
The point of order is put to vote, being rejected. Discussion on the resolution proceeds.
Jon Gleeson - Liberal Youth speaks in favour Friso Bonga – JD speaks in favor Jukka Koivula – FCY speaks in favor Eoin Neylon - Ógra Fianna Fáil speaks in favor Jerry Van Echelpoel – Jong VLD speaks against Daniel Eberz – LHG speaks in favor
Amendment 1 by Jong VLD Mover carried it Amendment 2 by FEL presented by Gyevai Balint Mover carried it Amendment 3 and 4 by Liberal Youth presented by Jon Gleeson and by Jong VLD presented by Jerry Van Echelpoel Mover carried it Amendment 5 by Jong VLD VLD presented by Jerry Van Echelpoel Mover is against People taking the floor Jeroen Diepemaat - JOVD speaks in favor Michael Agostini – JDL speaks against Friso Bonga – JD speaks against Amendment is put to vote Amendment is not carried
Amendment 6 by Jong VLD presented by Jerry Van Echelpoel Mover carried it Amendment 7 by Jong VLD presented by Jerry Van Echelpoel Mover is against Ivan Pranzhev – Junos speaks in favor Keith Henry - Ógra Fianna Fáil speaks against Jon Gleeson – Liberal Youth speaks against Beret Roots – Julis speaks in favor Jorge de Jesus – IMS speaks against Lena Höglund – SU speaks against Daniel Eberz – LHG speaks against Hilkka Kemppi – KOL speaks against Amendment is put to vote Amendment in not carried Amendment 8 by JD presented by Friso Bonga Mover carried it
Floor is opened for more discussion on the resolution Jeroen Diepemaat - JOVD speaks against
Point of order by Ida Schauman to limit the time to speak Time to speak limited to 1 minute
Ivan Pranzhev – Junos speaks against Eoin Neylon - Ógra Fianna Fáil speaks in favor Jerry Van Echelpoel – Jong VLD speaks against Lukas Schweiger - IMS speaks against Jukka Koivula – FCY speaks in favor Fintan Phelan - Ógra Fianna Fáil speaks in favor Friso Bonga – JD speaks in favor Jan Van Run – IMS speaks against Jorge de Jesus – IMS speaks in favor Ed Sanderson – IMS speaks in favor Nicklas Miltthers – Vensters Ungdom speaks against Benedikt Bente – IMS was neutral
Mover speaks for the resolution.
Resolution is put to vote. Resolution is carried.
Point of order from the bureau to send the resolutions that were not handled by the Congress back to the mover. Congress approves. Movers of resolutions will have to re- submit them if they still want to have them discussed in the next congress.
The proposal was adopted.
Point of order by Nicklas Miltthers – Vensters Ungdom to prolong the meeting time. It was decided to prolong the meeting by 45 minutes and go forth with the agenda if there is time left, the congress wants to reopen the resolution agenda point.
Bureau - Resolution on youth employment Timo Roeleveld presented the resolution
People taking the floor Milka Holmberg - FCY speaks in favor Lena Höglund – SU speaks in favor Amendment 1 by FEL presented by Gyevai Balint Mover carried it Amendment 2 by Jeunes MR presented by Steve Detry Mover carried it Amendment 3 by SU, LUF, NUV, CUF, Unge Venstre, KOL, FCY presented by Lena Höglund Mover carried it Amendment 4 by LY presented by Ab Brightman Mover opened the floor for discussion Lena Höglund speaks against Hannah Bettsworth speaks in favor Simone Mohamsson – LUF speaks against Amendment is put to vote Amendment is carried Amendment 5 falls Amendment 6 by FEL presented by Gyevai Balint Mover carried it
Amendment 7 is withdrawn Amendment 8 by LY presented by Ab Brightman Mover carried it Amendment 9 by SU, LUF, NUV, CUF, Unge Venstre, KOL, FCY presented by Lena Höglund Mover carried it Amendment 10 by SU, LUF, NUV, CUF, Unge Venstre, KOL, FCY presented by Lena Höglund Mover carried it Amendment 11 by SU, LUF, NUV, CUF, Unge Venstre, KOL, FCY presented by Lena Höglund Mover carried it
Resolution is put to vote Resolution is carried
Swedish Youth (SU) - Resolution Towards a Sustainable Future Anna Abrahamsson presented the resolution
Amendment 1 by Jong VLD presented by Jerry Van Echelpoel Mover carried it Amendment 2 by Jeunes MR presented by Steve Detry Mover carried it Amendment 3 by Jong VLD presented by Diederik Bammens Mover was against Jerry Van Echelpoel VLD speaks in favor Hannah Bettsworth LY speaks againts it Amendment is put to vote Amendment is carried Amendment 4 by Jong VLD presented by Jerry Van Echelpoel Mover carried it Amendment 5 by Jong VLD presented by Jerry Van Echelpoel Mover was against Lena Höglund - SU speaks against Jerry Van Echelpoel - Jong VLD speaks in favor Amendment is put to vote Amendment is not carried
Amendment 6 by Jong VLD presented by Jerry Van Echelpoel Mover is against Gerard Pelties - JD speaks against Nicklas Milthers – Venstres Ungdom speaks against Helen Honkasaari – SU speaks against Hannah Bettsworth – LY speaks against Amendment is put to vote Amendment is not carried
Mover speaks for the resolution Resolution is put to vote Resolution is carried
7. Reports from Member organisations – for information
Arvid Plugge - Jonge Democraten Ida Schauman – Svensk Ungdom Tuomas Meriniemi – Finnish Center Youth Anniina Sippola – Keskustan Opiskelijaliitto Casper Pedersen – Venstres Ungdom Jerry Van Echelpoel – Jong VLD Stefan Kimenal – JOVD Aurian Delli Pizzi – Jeunes MR Marina Seldo – LHG Eion Neylon – Ógra Fianna Fáil Simone Mohamsson – LUF Ab Brightman – Liberal Youth Sophie Ströhle – JUNOS Sofia Molin – Centerstudenter Kevin Tammearu – ERPY Tobias Bashevkin – NUV Victor Colominas – JNC Beret Roots – Junge Liberale Claudine Michels – JDL
8. Reports from LYMEC working groups – for information
Jukka Koivula – FCY presented a report from the disciplinary and arbitrage. Jelena Jesajana presented a report from the 50 shades of liberalism.
9. Any Other Business Vedrana Gujic presented the report on LYMEC 40, the 40th anniversary of LYMEC. Björn Bonsdorff told the Congress that SU is remaking a resolution to have working groups for the resolution before the Congress. Timo Roeleveld supported the initiative and encouraged the members to give feedback to the Bureau about the Congress.
10. Closing Teppo Säkkinen says thanks behalf the chairs. Vedrana Gujic (LYMEC President) closes the meeting by congratulating all the participants, the chairs and organizers. Teppo Säkkinen closed the meeting at 18.40pm