liberal

SECOND ISSUE 2020 Contents

Word from the President 03

Lead interview with Cecilia Malmström 04

Thematic dossier: Interview with 06

Liberals take local action against COVID-19 08

ALDE Party Individual Members ‘AIM for ’ 10

Liberal leaders open up about their unique stories 12

Our member parties have the floor: Party of Freedom and Progress 14

Our member parties have the floor: Vidreisn 15

Social media highlights 16

Movers and Shakers 18

The Alliance of and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Party is the party representing liberal democrat values across Europe. With our member parties throughout Europe, 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. The ALDE Party is made up of more than sixty member parties and many individual members from across Europe.

Liberal Bulletin is a publication of the ALDE Party. It is published twice a year.

Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party, EUPP

Rue d’Idalie 11 – box 2, B-1050 , Editors: Iiris André, Clara Puig de Torres-Solanot , Anna Wangen, Andrew Burgess, ALDE Party Publisher: Didrik de Schaetzen, ALDE Party Layout: Nadège Van Hoorde - Printing: Printdeal.be

With the financial support of the . The sole liability rests with the author. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. Word from the President

Dear liberal friends,

We are experiencing extraordinary times. Under normal circumstances, we planned to meet at the ALDE Congress and Council, and at other international events. These restrictions on our social in- teractions go against our deepest feelings as human beings, but we need to stay hopeful, we need to stay positive. That is what unites us, that is what liberals do.

No politician or virologist knows for certain what the coming months will bring. It hurts me as a liberal to see our borders being closed, curfews being implemented and freedoms being restricted. However, we never will and never should tolerate that these restrictions are permanent. We need to stay vigilant where excessive power is being used like in or . LGBTI-free zones, restrictive measures on abortion and limiting freedom of expression have nothing to do with the current crisis.

It is key to work together and to keep fighting for our freedoms on every level. Therefore, I praise the courage and determination of the Belarusian people and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya who are standing up to 26 years of dictatorship by Alexander Lukashenko. In Russia, Putin tried to silence Alexei Navalny with poison. But these medieval practices do not stand for the society we want, and I encourage Navalny and Tsikhanouskaya in their fight for democratic rights and the hope they em- body. Their struggle is our struggle. Putin needs to be stopped by opposing Nord Stream 2 pipeline, the EU implementing a European Magnitsky law and by supporting states who are being crippled by his regime: Ukraine, , Moldova, and others. In addition, we need to strongly oppose the Belt and Road Initiative which is the vehicle of China to blackmail free societies, and support Taiwan which fights COVID-19 while upholding the rule of law and personal freedoms.

I want to express my feelings of gratitude to all essential workers in all sectors who dedicate their lives to save others. In respect to those people, we must follow the democratically legitimised mea- sures that are put in place to keep the virus infection rates as low as possible. We must buy time to develop effective and safe vaccines, which will make it possible to re-open our societies. We cannot live in a state of indefinite lockdown; this will derail social interaction and cause a fatal economic depression, which costs innumerable lives.

Let us carry on fighting COVID-19! I truly hope to see you in person soon.

Yours sincerely,

Hans van Baalen ALDE Party President

/hansvanbaalenALDE @hansvanbaalen

SECOND issue 2020 03 liberal bulletin Lead interviewLead

To bounce back from the crisis, we need to work together With a career spanning over two decades at the European Parliament, the and at the , former Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström was recently nominated by her country for the position of OECD Secretary General. We met virtually with Cecilia Malmström as a second wave threatens Europe to discuss the road out of the COVID-19 crisis, the future of European cooperation and her view on what is happening with multilateralism.

liberal bulletin 04 SECOND issue 2020 Ninna Andersson. Regeringskansliet,Photograph: Sweden The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic of hope, saying that Europe finally Now is not the time for protectionism has pushed Europe’s economies “got it right”. It is this hope we need but time to strengthen what works to their limits. In your view, how to build on, while ensuring we con- and repair what does not. can the and its tinue to help each other and show member states ensure as swift and solidarity. Now is not the time resilient an economic recovery as The effect of this pandemic on “ possible? democracy is also something that for protectionism but The economic bounce-back will we need to deal with. At the heart time to strengthen hardly be swift, it will take time. of the EU we now have countries Especially with the second wave of that are no longer fully democratic. what works and repair COVID-19 becoming a reality and We need to address this issue and I what does not not just a likelihood, many cities hope that the European Parliament and countries in Europe have started and the Council will find a way to ” to close down again and introduce find an answer to the key question You are running for the position new lockdowns. This is done to related to respecting the EU’s core of OECD Secretary General. What protect the health of the people, values and financing. And we need would be your key priorities in which is the utmost priority of to act quickly or otherwise we will this role? course, but it will also have economic lose our global credibility. Between consequences which cannot be two other powerful global actors – The first thing to do is to listen and underestimated. The slow recovery China and the US – the EU needs find out what each country thinks that we witnessed this summer is to be able to step up to the chal- the priorities are and how they not likely to continue. lenge and make strategic decisions see the future. related to foreign policy, including The next thing is to outline what Having said that, while we cannot taking decisions by majority vote make it swift, we should do our best the OECD can do in the short when it comes to topics related to and long term. Short-term needs to ensure as resilient an economic human rights violations and sanc- recovery as possible. My hope is that include making evidence-based tions. This is not easy and it will take policy proposals and assisting the European Council and the Eu- time, but it must be done. ropean Parliament are soon able to member states in economic re- covery that is green, innovative, agree on a budget to make this pos- With the changing geopolitical sible. and inclusive. In the long-term, landscape, protectionism seems we should focus on building re- to be on the rise. How can Eu- silient economies that cover key rope fight back and maintain a areas such as digitalisation. The “Perhaps this excep- multilateral approach? OECD has a huge competence in tional time is an oppor- this area and perhaps should put This is so important, as multilateral- it more in the centre of some oth- tunity to push for new ism overall was on a weak standing er key topics. There is also room to heights when it comes already before the pandemic, and it develop organisational transpar- seems like many international organ- ency and inclusiveness. to working together isations have only weakened further It is very hard to say what will happen ” during this challenging time: WTO is from now until early next year, but it in a crisis, WHO has been struggling, has been a very interesting and re- we have not really heard from G7 or warding journey, no matter what the And how do you see the future G20, or from the UN for that matter. of European cooperation at this outcome will be. . challenging and exceptional But perhaps this exceptional time time? is an opportunity to push for new heights when it comes to working The effect of this There are many things on the to- together. With the crisis impacting “ do list. First, we need to make sure every country around the world, pandemic on that we find a way to handle this only by cooperating and sharing democracy is also ongoing pandemic: we need to knowledge and best practices ... save lives, reduce the number of can we ensure that we are better something that we infections, and focus on discover- prepared for the next time some- need to deal with ing a vaccine. But the long-term thing like this happens. Interna- need for economic recovery cannot tional organisations play a key ” be ignored and on this, I think the role in this, and so do international world is watching what the EU will corporations – we have seen this @MalmstromEU do. In the five-day European Coun- for example with the vaccine de- cil Summit back in July reaching an velopment, with researchers from agreement was difficult but we did all over the world sharing their re- it. Newspapers in countries like the sults and discoveries. US, Australia and were full

SECOND issue 2020 05 liberal bulletin Rule of law must be upheld, even in times of crisis After 20 years in ministerial roles in Belgium Didier Reynders has been serving as European Com- missioner for Justice since 2019. The first year of his mandate has been shaped by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as well as by key milestones, such as the publication of the first EU report on rule of law.

dossier: COVID-19 rule of law We met with Commissioner Reynders to hear his insights on Europe’s determination to protect democracy in this challenging time, including what all of us can do to uphold rule of law in our daily lives.

How is the European Union government, which would seri- fighting back to protect de- ously limit the freedom of expres- “The most important Thematic sion. In such a case, we monitor question to ask is: mocracy and uphold rule of the situation to ensure there is a law, currently under threat in a balanced approach: while pro- what can I do, as an number of EU member states? tected against the pandemic, cit- izens still maintain their rights. individual, to fight The COVID-19 pandemic is a test the pandemic? for resilience in all EU member The European Commission recently ” states, and it is crucial that we are published its first annual Rule of In addition to topics such as bud- able to show that it is possible for Law Report. Why is this report gets, structural reforms and pen- member states to emerge from such a milestone? sion schemes, the rule of law is this crisis as democratic as they also central to the daily lives of cit- were before the crisis. With the ex- It is time that we install a real ‘rule izens. If you have a problem with treme emergency measures put of law culture’ in the European the authority, you need to be able in place in a number of countries, Union. To achieve this goal, you to go to a qualified and indepen- citizens have seen and experi- need to show that you pay equal dent judge. If the judge is linked enced their freedoms being lim- attention to the situation in all 27 with the authorities, it makes no ited in ways that enter democratic sense to try to get justice. ‘grey areas’. For this reason, it is of member states and use the same utmost importance that we use all kind of approach and practices the tools at our disposal and act if when it comes to evaluating the Speaking of a ‘rule of law we come across alarming devel- independence of the judiciary, culture’, what can European opments in some member states. the fight against corruption, me- citizens do to promote and dia pluralism and the checks and uphold it as part of their ev- balances in the constitutional or- For example, in Hungary we have eryday lives? witnessed the government mak- der. The new report published by ing it possible to criminalise dis- the Commission creates and pro- semination of false news during motes dialogue about the rule of Two things come to my mind. the crisis. However, we needed to law in all member states and the First, try to understand the impli- investigate this decision to make European Union as a whole. cations and consequences of the sure it really was about spreading rule of law on your daily life. Con- false information related to the It is key to show that you can dis- tinuing on my previous example virus, such as information about cuss the rule of law not just at the of having a problem with the au- potential vaccines, and not about EU level but also with national thorities, the independence of the preventing criticisms against the parliaments and citizens. judiciary plays a key role

liberal bulletin 06 SECOND issue 2020 in our daily lives. Or, if you are a From your perspective, given In my role as Commissioner, I work small business owner who wants the ongoing COVID-19 cri- towards establishing a greater to take part in a public procure- sis, what is the question we coordinated approach at the EU ment, you need to be sure there level. This was very difficult to is a framework to fight corruption should be asking but are not? achieve in March and April. Now put in place, so that everyone we have made some progress, but has an equal opportunity to take The most important question to we still need to show citizens that part. When it comes to your dai- ask is: what can I do, as an indi- there is real action and that such ly news, you need to be able to vidual, to fight the pandemic? Of an action is protecting your free- choose between different kinds of course, we should all follow the doms. For example, if you down- newspapers. This is the first thing: general rules such as wearing a load a coronavirus tracing app to to try establishing concrete links mask and washing our hands. your smartphone, you need to be between the rule of law and our However, it might also be im- able to trust the people who have daily lives. portant to balance the necessity created the app as well as those of limiting one’s own freedoms who regulate these kinds of apps. Second, if possible, everyone and the fight to help improve the When it comes to the COVID-19, should take part in public debates overall situation in your country. the balanced approach of pro- about the rule of law. This way, cit- Therefore, sometimes it is better tecting both citizens’ health and izens can express their concerns to stay at home and limit contacts their fundamental rights is truly about the situation in their own than to continue to live our lives key. . country or the situation in anoth- as if nothing was going on. We all er member state. need to think about what we can do, not only to protect ourselves but also to protect others. “It is time that we install a real ‘rule of law culture’ in the European Union ” @dreynders Liberals take local action against COVID-19 During the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Group in the European Committee of the Regions (Renew Europe CoR) have been implementing initiatives and taking measures to fight the spread of the virus, foster resilience, support healthcare workers and protect the most vulnerable in our societies. We have collected some examples of these initiatives and measures below.

François Decoster - Vincent Chauvet - France Mayor of Saint-Omer Mayor of Autun François Decoster focused on direct engagement with his citizens, organising Facebook-live sessions to inform them Under the leadership of Vincent Chauvet, Autun was one dossier about concrete measures and to answer questions in an of the first local communities to participate in a volunteer- informal setting, putting awareness-raising campaigns in ing scheme. In less than 48 hours, 130 people volunteered place and organising food deliveries, emergency funds for to help people in need in their town. Three missions were SMEs and ensuring solidarity food baskets were at disposal proposed: distribute necessities and meals to the most de- for citizens older than 65 years. prived, run essential products for the most fragile neigh- bours, and maintain a link with isolated people. Thematic Ivan Gulam - Willy Borsus - Belgium Mayor of Pirovac Vice-President of the Walloon region The Pirovac municipality was among the first local Securing additional financial aid for hospitals was governments in Croatia to introduce measures to among the first actions taken, followed by 115 million facilitate business operations for the local econ- euros in support measures for the health and social omy, such as abolishing kindergarten payments sectors; 233 million euros of support for businesses, for the duration of the confinement or freezing SMEs and the self-employed and mobilisation of eco- payments of utility fees. nomic tools; 115 million euros in support measures for the health and social and employment sectors and two million euros in support measures for local authorities.

liberal bulletin 04 SECOND issue 2019 Matus Vallo - Slovakia Mayor of Bratislava Among the many specific measures taken to reach all citizens of Bratislava, one measure was particularly aimed at the often-forgotten homeless people. For them, the city provided hygiene stations in co- operation with the army, providing access to drinking water as well as basic hygiene and follow-up services.

Dirk Wedel - State Secretary, Minister of Justice of North Rhine-Westphalia The newly created NRW Emergency Aid 2020, aimed at small business owners, freelancers and the self-employed, allowed for more than 320,000 people suffering from COVID-19 inflicted liquidity shortages to apply for finan- cial support.

Jeannette Baljeu – The Member of the Provincial Executive of Zuid-Holland The province of Zuid-Holland launched a platform called Resilient- Society through which innovative companies can provide solutions for challenges caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Thanks to the platform, governments and start-ups can work together to find solutions for societal problems. This is an initiative done together with companies such as Dell, T-Mobile and other city governments, like The Hague and Rotterdam.

Francisco Igea - Jasna Gabrič- Vice-President of the Government of Castile and León Mayor of Trbovlje The regional government started an economic support pack for deci- Focusing on health and the economy, the city of Trbovl- sive economic actors of the community for a total of 367 million euros. je took measures prior to the first confirmed COVID-19 The government allocated over 100 million euros for providing cash case, closing down all non-essential institutions before over 3000 companies, with 92 million euros directed to help the food the national government ordered the city to do so. It and forestry sectors, amongst others. provided free accommodation for health workers com- ing to work from other places, and a special phone bank and food delivery system were prepared for the elderly.

Ignacio Aguado - Spain Vice-President Region of Madrid The region invested 68.9 million euros in home assistance for people with dependency and crafted a financial support plan of 220 million euros for SMEs and self-employed to help them cope with the eco- nomic impact, while also training teachers to counteract the possible psychological effects of the pandemic on students.

For more info on local action against COVID-19, visit the full database set up by Renew Europe CoR at: reneweurope-cor.eu/covid-19/ /Reneweuropecor @RenewEuropeCoR @reneweuropecor

/company/reneweuropecor/ SECOND issue 2020 09 liberal bulletin ALDE Party Individual members ‘AIM for Europe’

With the new name AIM for Europe, a bright new future lies ahead for individual members of the ALDE Party! We sat down with two members to hear what they think: Pascal Jacobs of AIM for Europe Steering Committee and Daniel Tanahatoe, who was the second-ever member to join the programme back in Interview with our individual members 2011.

Pascal, how do you plan to put COVID-19 and continue enjoy the free- AIM for Europe firmly on the “Have your say too, doms of the European Union. map of the ALDE family? and join AIM Why should other like-minded I want to show the members in ALDE for Europe! liberals join AIM for Europe? member parties that it matters to be ” You can be part of our community of involved directly at the European level. In your view, what is the differ- AIM for Europe is the right place to do very excited pro-European liberals who so. There is a lot happening in our com- ence between AIM for Europe want to discuss together to make Eu- rope better and more liberal. We meet, munity, a place where we can express and a movement such as Stand Up For Europe? we discuss, we propose. As such, we can our ideas and influence the party. have an influence. Have your say too, While I believe that movements such Thanks to our statutory rights, for which and join AIM for Europe! as theirs do good work to defend and we have fought hard since our founding promote the European Union, we have days, we have the chance to put forward something unique. AIM for Europe is the proposals for resolutions at the ALDE spider in the cobweb of the ALDE Party. Congress. Three resolutions that result- It is a political community of like-mind- ed from our discussions were adopted ed individuals who not only think that last year in Athens, including a push for by working together in the European Want to join AIM for Europe? the so-called transnational lists for the Union we can achieve more, but who More information on our website: European Parliament elections. also believe in liberal values. www.aldeparty.eu/become_a_member I believe that by making such concrete As a democratic community, we can in- proposals we increase our credibility fluence the political course of the par- towards ALDE member parties and our ty. In times like these, there are plenty liberal Members of the European Parlia- of issues on which we should express ment as a source of ideas. After nearly ourselves. When it comes to foreign pol- ten years of shaping the organisation icy, we need to stand up for open and and debating on Europe, we can proud- free societies – the current situations in ly conclude that individual membership Belarus and Hong Kong come to mind. is inseparably connected to the ALDE Closer to home there is the question of Party. Together we AIM for Europe. how to balance the need to fight

liberal bulletin 10 SECOND issue 2020 Interview with our individual members

Daniel, you were involved in I also remember well something that What do you think of the new launching the original individual took place in 2015: the then-ALDE Par- name ‘AIM for Europe’? ty President travelled membership programme. Why to Athens and was curious to attend a was it started? I am very enthusiastic about it. It is not meeting with individual members. We only a catchy name. The name fits a were there with more than 100 people truly pan-European movement with In fact, the history of AIM already begins in a ‘Free Thinking Zone’ bookshop: a in 2004. At the time, the EU was enlarging members from different countries and fantastic, very informal atmosphere. We various (political) cultures, sharing the with ten new member states and new then travelled on to Sofia, where even Regulations on the financing of European same core value: the fight for a better King Simeon II was present at our meet- and more liberal Europe. AIM for Europe political parties came into force, which ing. made a change necessary in the statutes removes the political boundaries be- tween people. of the party. This laid the groundwork What do you consider to be for the ALDE Party individual membership. For years, it remained a dead letter but the highlights of the AIM pro- on 1 February 2011, the programme gramme? “AIM for Europe was launched. Soon there were already around 100 members! Well, the first thing is that we estab- removes the political lished the programme. Until this day, boundaries between There have been quite a lot of the ALDE family is unique in allowing memorable moments, haven’t such a degree of involvement of indi- people vidual citizens, as none of the other Eu- there? ropean political parties have dared to ” It has been a great time. We received do so. A second highlight is the fact that European Commissioner Margrethe all three of our AIM resolutions were Vestager at a well-attended conference passed in Athens last year. People have in Lisbon, and in Maastricht in the hall worked for this for years, since the Buda- where the Maastricht Treaty was signed pest Congress of 2015 where we fought nearly 100 members from eight different hard for the right to vote and make pro- countries listened to the keynotes of posals, led by the then-Steering Com- ALDE Party President Hans van Baalen mittee Chair Julie Cantalou. and Andrew Duff, who was an MEP at the time.

SECOND issue 2020 11 liberal bulletin Liberal leaders open up about their unique stories

In a new, exclusive interview series US: The Unique Stories of Liberals produced by the ALDE Party, liberal leaders across Europe discuss their experiences on managing the COVID-19 pandemic, coping with confinement and what they feel is the future of European cooperation. Launched in September 2020, the monthly episodes will give viewers an opportunity to see liberal leaders from a more personal angle as they work tackling one of the biggest challenges of our time. Starting the series was Philippe De Backer, former Belgian federal Minister and MEP from ALDE member party Open VLD, nominated to lead the Belgian taskforce against COVID-19. In his interview, he discussed Belgium’s plan to fight the coronavirus as well as what helped him personally during the pandemic. For Katalin Cseh, a medical doctor by training and current MEP from ALDE member party Momentum in Hungary, the pandemic has been about returning to the front lines. Moreover, with rule of law weakening in her home country, we asked what she believes will help build more resilient democracies. To stay up to date on the new episodes in the series, make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel! @aldeparty

How will COVID-19 change society?

“We need social interaction, we are still human beings. I think this will be different now in the next couple of

months and years because we are much more aware of what could go wrong. But we need human interaction, “ so finding a good balance there will be a key challenge.

How can we make our democracies more resilient?

“The EU has to be strong. It cannot allow European funds to flow into the pockets of oligarchs and mafia states,

just what’s happening in Hungary where cronies of Mr.

Orbán gain millions of euros in tenders. That’s why we believe that corruption should be fought heavily. This “ is quite a well-known cause: autocracies perform worse than democracies.

To view the full video series playlist, scan the QR code!

liberal bulletin 12 SECOND issue 2020 JOIN US IN STOCKHOLM! aldeparty.eu/congress 16-18 APRIL 2021 #ALDEcongress Four pillars of Belarusian protest

For twenty years, there have rallies organised across the country, 4. Who will guard from the been heated discussions within and since then have joined the protests. guards? the opposition whether to participate We had not seen things like this for many years. A few weeks before the election day, in the elections or to boycott it was decided that only five observers them. The Party of Freedom and were allowed to observe the vote – Progress and its youth wing Civil “Stability, Lukashenko and all five were pro-government. Forum advocate participating in calls it. Stagnation, This was further evidence that Lukashenko all political campaigns. This approach, we call it does not want free and fair elections, the party’s leader Vladimir Novosiad but it did not stop the Belarusians. and Vice-Chair of the liberal ” They began to observe the elections youth organisation Ihar Nikitsin 2. We have an economy without from courtyards of the polling stations write in this op-ed, make it possible money and under windows – to no avail. The to involve ordinary citizens in Almost one third of the Belarusian figure of 80% support of the President the electoral process at all its budget depends on petrodollars and is obviously very appealing and is stages like signature collection, oil prices have collapsed. Moreover, repeated from campaign to campaign. campaigning and observation. shortly before the pandemic started, But what actually happened in Belarus came into conflict with Russia This is how the ongoing front-line Our member parties the floor have these elections? over energy prices. Putin did not protests began, creating a unique give in to Lukashenko’s persuasion, experience not only for Belarus, but We all know the story: Alexander instead linking his concessions with also for the world. People are not Lukashenko refused to step down concessions on the issue of integrating interested in ideological or geopolitical after losing against the opposition the two countries, which his Minsk disputes; there is only one slogan and leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. counterpart declined. The Kremlin it is against Lukashenko. The more Since then, citizens not just in Belarus responded by cutting off the supplies aggressive the rhetoric and measures but also across Europe have been of ‘black gold’. The budget was empty of the dictator, the stronger the protesting against his regime. But and there were no funds to increase opposition of the society is. what led to the protests can be social payments before the elections, summarised in four key pillars: as the authorities had previously Stability, Lukashenko calls it. Stagnation, done. we call it. The point of no return has 1. The COVID-19 epidemic was passed. a political test for authorities 3. Winds of change are here The authorities in Belarus refused to During Lukashenko’s 26-year rule, a acknowledge the existence of whole generation of young Belarusians the COVID-19 pandemic. Alexander has grown up, and this generation “People are not interested Lukashenko kept repeating the main wants to live in a democratic country in ideological or geopolitical ways to combat coronavirus are a ruled by the law. Lukashenko is no disputes, there is only one steam bath and vodka. This led to longer respected or feared by a large slogan and it is against a sharp increase in the number of part of the citizens, and because of infections and in the number of new technologies the government Lukashenko struggling businesses. It also placed has lost its monopoly of information. ” an exorbitant burden on the healthcare When the arrests of other candi- system and increased political tension dates began, this only encouraged in the country. But where the state more spontaneous protests on the failed, the civil society showed streets. The success of Lukashenko’s strength: thousands of people began strongest competitor Viktor Babariko to sew and distribute masks and help caused panic in the presidential palace with food and medicine deliveries. and he along with other key opposition The epidemic pushed people for leaders were arrested or not allowed civic engagement from the very to run as candidates. It was then that beginning of the presidential campaign the rebellion began, without a single and thousands turned up for electoral centre or headquarters.

liberal bulletin 14 SECOND issue 2020 Liberal solutions in the time of COVID-19

Challenging times call for new Now is the time for liberal parties solutions, transparent governance across Europe to raise their voices “This is a liberal wake-up and the use of technology, Þorgerður as never before. This environment of call to stand up and Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, the leader disruptions and restrictions, and of protect the values on of Icelandic ALDE Party member general concern, creates a fertile soil which our societies Viðreisn, writes in this op-ed, en- for populist movements to further are built couraging liberal parties across their agenda throughout the con- Europe to try new ideas and raise tinent. This is a liberal wake-up call ” to stand up and protect the values The most well-received event was their voices for a better tomor- a live Q&A with our MPs, which will row. on which our societies are built. Not nationalism and conservatism, but from now on be held monthly, hope- The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic compassion, hope and freedom. fully outliving the current era of re- has taken its toll in Iceland as well strictions. By thinking outside the as the rest of the world. Everything All these challenges can also create box, we were able to ensure ongoing changed in a matter of days: our hab- opportunities for the liberal family. democracy within our party. Mean- its and norms, and even our percep- We can use the online solutions that while, the old conservative parties tion of human rights and personal have rapidly become more accessi- continue to postpone their own con- liberties. ble to reach out to and engage with ventions and keep weakening their Our member parties the floor have voters. For example, when the virus political mandate. In Iceland, we agreed as a communi- first hit Iceland, the board of Viðreisn ty to follow the instructions of pub- decided to postpone the party con- Challenging times call for new and lic health authorities, which were at gress. Last month, a week before the creative solutions, open and transpar- times very strict and disruptive to rescheduled event, the virus hit again ent governance, and the application people’s daily lives. We did so be- just as hard as the first time! But you of technological tools. Even though cause the threat of the virus is real cannot postpone the democratic our lives have changed, hopefully and frightening and because in these workings of a indefinite- only temporarily, it does not mean trying times, solidarity matters. But it ly and we do not know when large that we should postpone the prog- is a fine path to tread. When a gov- gatherings will be safe again. So, with ress we are fighting for. Liberal, inter- ernment grants unelected officials a week’s notice we moved the entire national and modern political parties the power to restrict legal rights, we convention online. The result: The across Europe need to pave the way have laid the groundwork for deci- largest party congress in our history for new technologies to connect sion-making without accountability, and even more people watching our with voters and strengthen valuable which will eventually lead to weak- online stream. partnerships across borders, through ened democracies. pan-European coalitions such as the We broadcasted a three-hour live ALDE Party. I surely miss meeting Viðreisn and other opposition par- event, with pre-prepared and live people, travelling and making new ties of the Icelandic Parliament have segments, live music and online vot- connections but while the current repeatedly invited the ruling coali- ing. In the fewest words possible, situation goes on, we must dare to tion to have an open and transpar- the event was a success. As it turns be different. We must be bold but ent discussion about their COVID-19 out, the digital format was more ac- first and foremost provide hope for a measures to better understand what cessible to people living in different liberal future. lies behind the decisions and what parts of the country, more accessible vision they have for the post-COVID to people with physical restrictions Because it is much needed – for lib- restoration of the country. We believe and more accessible to people with eral values and for democracy, now this to be the liberal way of govern- inflexible work conditions. more than ever. ing and also believe that Icelandic families and businesses need further clarity on the path forward, includ- “Now is the time for ing on possible future restrictions, so liberal parties across that they can base their own plans on Europe to raise their voices these. as never before ” SECOND issue 2020 15 liberal bulletin Social media highlights

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SECOND issue 2020 17 liberal bulletin Movers & Shakers

Clotilde Armand @clotilde_armand @progresivne_sk Irena Bihariová French-born Romanian Clotilde Armand MEP (USR) is Irena Bihariová was elected leader of ALDE member the first foreign-born citizen elected mayor of a Bucharest Progresívne Slovensko earlier this summer. A trained lawyer, city district. With a background in international business she previously led the civil society organisation ‘People and engineering, she entered Romanian politics as a local Against Racism’, providing free legal aid to survivors of hate councillor in 2016. Elected to this new role in September, crimes. She is a champion of minority rights, particularly her aims are to fight corruption and foster progress and discrimination against Roma and traveller communities, inclusion. and fighting online extremism.

Alexander De Croo @alexanderdecroo @MichealMartinTD Micheál Martin

Having first entered politics running in the 2009 European In June, Micheál Martin, leader of ALDE member party elections, (Open VLD) became Prime Fianna Fáil, was elected of Ireland in a landmark Minister of Belgium this October. With his experience from coalition deal with the and Fine Gael. Under his many years in government, including seven years as Deputy leadership, the Irish government is taking steps to alleviate Prime Minister, he will lead the fight against coronavirus the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and of Brexit. and continue to drive important reforms for citizens while in office.

Mārtiņš Staķis @MStakis @hildevautmans

Both an entrepreneur and politician, newly elected Mayor Whether working on foreign affairs, development cooperation of Riga Mārtiņš Staķis brings a diverse set of experiences or equal opportunities for all, Hilde Vautmans MEP (Open to his new role. He also helped found ALDE member Kustība VLD) is passionate about building a just and safe society. Par! in 2017, and as Mayor, is driven by a belief that the true Recently elected President of the European wealth of Riga lies in its smart people and great ideas. Board of Directors, she looks forward to strengthening liberal ideas throughout Europe in the years to come.

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