| |
If this message is not displaying properly, please click here
| In memoriam: viscount Willy De Clercq 1927-2011 |
|
ELDR Honorary President viscount Willy De Clercq passed away on 28 October 2011. De Clercq was twice ELDR President from 1981 to 1985 and from 1990 to 1995. He served in various coalition governments in Belgium and twice led the Flemish liberals. He served on the European Commission from 1985 until 1989 and sat in the European Parliament from 1989 until 2007.
ELDR President Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck: “Willy promoted liberalism as no one else could. He had his own style and clear views. He was Minister, Vice-Prime Minister, European Commissioner, Member of European Parliament but above all a liberal with a hearth for Europe.”
|
|
|
LIBERAL FAMILY |
| Olli Rehn appointed European Commission Vice-President |
|
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has decided to reinforce the role of the Commissioner competent for economic and monetary affairs, Olli Rehn, by elevating his post to that of Vice-President, and giving the post-holder additional working instruments.
The new Vice-President will assist the President on all matters relating to the work of the European Council, Euro Area summits and economic governance. Vice President Rehn will also exercise the Commission's responsibilities in the external representation of the Euro area.
|
|
|
|
ELDR ACTIVITIES |
| Sir Graham Watson MEP meets Luxemburgish Liberals |
|
ELDR Vice-president Sir Graham Watson MEP, together with Luxembourg MEP Charles Goerens, recently went to Luxembourg's Demokratesch Partei. They held a press conference to discuss the outcome of the European Council summit, and then met a number of leading Luxembourgish liberals over lunch.
Among those attending were President Claude Meisch and Colette Flesch, former MEP and president of ELD (the precursor of ELDR) from 1985 to 1990 and former Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg.
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEMBER ACTIVITIES |
| A strong Netherlands in a strong Europe |
The 93rd congress of D66, during which they celebrated their 45th anniversary, was dedicated to “Europe”. Leader Alexander Pechtold MP stated: “The position of D66 is clear. Our yes to Europe brings us a critical stance regarding the Euro-package, as we believe it is not yet complete. Is it possible to have a powerful and trustworthy Euro zone without adequate authorities, without clear sanctions, without a decisive European Commissioner controlled by the European Parliament? D66 thinks this is not possible.”
|
|
|
|
|
LIBERAL FAMILY |
| European Liberal Youth celebrates 35th anniversary |
Last weekend, LYMEC held its autumn congress in Barcelona. Around 150 young liberals where present there to celebrate its 35th anniversary and discuss a wide variety of resolutions. The congress accepted two membership applications, LDP from Serbia and ALY from Lithuania. The congress was closed by a gala-dinner on Saturday evening to celebrate the 35th anniversary and look back on many successful years in the presence of ELDR Vice Presidents Sir Graham Watson MEP and Dr. Marc Guerrero and many more former young liberals.
|
|
|
|
|
LIBERAL FAMILY |
|
Praise for German Human Rights Commissioner
|
Recently, a German daily praised ELDR Vice President Markus Löning for his dedication as the Human Rights Commissioner: “Though he doesn’t have a lot of power, the little he has, he uses effectively to address violations of Human Rights.”
|
|
|
|
|
LIBERAL FAMILY |
| Former MEP appointed President of the Nordic Council |
Former MEP and long time Minister Bertel Haarder (Venstre, Denmark), has been appointed President of the Nordic Council until the end of the year. Until September 2011 Haarder was Minister of the Interior and Health in Denmark.
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIBERAL FAMILY |
| LIBSEEN meets in Osijek, Croatia |
On 25-26 October 2011, LIBSEEN (Liberal South East European Network) held its annual Leaders Meeting in the city of Osijek, Croatia, with a wide participation of Liberal leaders. Hosted by its President (and also ELDR Vice President) Vesna Pusi? MP, the main topic of this year’s meeting was “Economic cooperation in South East Europe”, and discussions focused on the added value of cross-border trade and how to make better use of the large combined market in the Western Balkans and beyond, as well as what effects can be expected from Croatia’s entry into the European Union.
|
|
|
|
ELDR ACTIVITIES |
| Join ELDR! |
|
The ELDR website features several Associate Members and their motivations why they joined the Party.
Peter Jens: “Liberalism is the kinder, creative and constructive force of change. A pan-European party is the preferred instrument for democratic reform compared to national parties.” Daniel Kaddik: “I want to shape a free Europe. That is why I am a European liberal!”
You can join too!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
