ELDR Bulletin (1st issue)

Published three times a year by the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party

Contents

■ ��Signs�of�hope�in�Armenia�?� . . . . . . . . . . . page 2

■ ��Europe’s�interest�in�a�prosperous�Armenia . . . . . . . . . . . page 3

■ ��Focus�Year�2012�:�Have�your�say�on�Energy�transition�!� . . . . . . . . . . . page 4

■ ��Liberal�views�on�energy� . . . . . . . . . . . page 4

■ ��Interview�with�Chris�Davies�on�Energy�transition� . . . . . . . . . . . page 5

■ ��ELDR�Congress�in�Palermo�elects�new�President� . . . . . . . . . . . page 6

■ �Sights�from�the�ELDR�Congress�in�Palermo� . . . . . . . . . . . page 6

■ �Join�the�ELDR�Party�Congress�2012�in�Dublin�!� . . . . . . . . . . . page 7

■ ��The�Danish�EU�Presidency�:�interview�with�Sofie�Carsten�Nielsen� . . . . . . . . . . . page 8

■ ��Facts�and�figures�of�the�Danish�EU�Presidency� . . . . . . . . . . . page 9

■ ��How�Slovakian�liberals�returned�to�Parliament�

. . . . . . . . . . page 10�■ �A�liberal�drink�with�

Xavier�Bettel� . . . . . . . . . . page 11

■ ��President’s�Corner� . . . . . . . . . . page 12

There is currently a somewhat elusive political situation in Armenia. At a first glance it seems all political parties are being gi-ven relatively equal airtime on national TV channels and eve-rything is going smoothly, but

The Danish EU Presidency focuses on a responsible, dynamic, green and safe Europe. Could you out-line one proposal which, for your party, is key to achieve these objectives ? The energy efficiency directive is a proposal combining the need for immediate and long-term

What or who motivated you to enter politics ?I always loved to participate in any form of politics. I organised my first petition and demonstra-tion when I was aged just 9 : I mo-

there are a number of problems and threats that leave us nothing but the fear of yet another rigged election in our country.

More on page 2

growth with ambitions of making Europe the greenest and most cli-mate-friendly region in the world. If we dare lead the green revo-lution, millions of new jobs in the energy, transport, manufactu-ring and other industries will be created in Europe – not in China or other fast growing economies.

More on page 8

Signs of hope in Armenia ?

In March, the European Parliament supported your report on the European Commission’s « Roadmap for moving to a low-carbon eco-nomy », which sets a policy framework for the European Union to achieve an 80-95% reduction in its CO

2 emis-

sions by 2050. What are the key elements in your report ? It makes plenty of suggestions for action across the board but strip my report down and there are just two messages that really matter.

More on page 5

Interview: Chris Davies on Energy transition

First issue 2012

The Danish EU Presidency : interview with Sofie Carsten Nielsen

A Liberal Drink with Xavier Bettel

BULLETIN

tivated the children in my class to ask for a playground in our school and it worked ! I entered the Demokratesch Partei when I was 15.

More on page 11

Focus Year 2012 : Have your say !

Do you have an opinion on the EU’s energy policy ? What is the best way to move towards a low-carbon economy ? What’s your view on the energy transi-tion challenge ? Have your say on www.eldrfocus.eu !

More on page 4

BULLETIN – First issue | 2012 | PagE 2

There is currently a somewhat elusive political situation in Armenia. At a first glance it seems all political parties are being given relatively equal airtime on national TV channels and everything is going smoothly, but there are a number of problems and threats that leave us no-thing but the fear of yet another rigged election in our country. The biggest threat the Armenian National Movement (ANM) and the Armenian people are now facing in the upcoming parliamentary elections on 6 May are the lists of registered voters published by the Armenian police recently.

In September 1991, right before the devas-tating economic crisis and the escalation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, when Armenia was holding a referendum on in-dependence, there were 2,163,967 voters in the country. Now, after 20 years of in-dependence, during which the nation en-dured a number of economic and political hardships causing a wave of emigration, the Armenian police claim there are 2,485,844 registered voters in the country. This num-ber is obviously exaggerated. Even the of-ficial results of the 2011 census confirm that the permanent population of Armenia is a little over 2.87 million. According to a government decision adopted in 2005 (N1231, July 2005), a citizen residing out-side of Armenia for more than 6 months remains in the so-called population regis-ter and keeps his/her right to vote. Thus,

upon returning to the country the same citizen can restore her/his registration of permanent residence and be included in the additional list of voters. This legal act, however, has not been enforced and imple-mented and we therefore have thousands of absent people, even people who passed away long ago included in these lists. The government’s idea behind all this is to have these non-existant people magically vote for the ruling party, come Election Day.

There is, however, a glimmer of hope that these elections may be different from the previous unsuccessful experiences as a number of political forces have now come together to form a public structure to su-pervise the election process. The process was initiated by the parliamentarian oppo-sition parties ARF (Armenian Revolutionary Federation) and Heritage Party. The big-gest opposition alliance in the country, the Armenian National Congress (ANC, of which ANM is a core member) and the Prosperous Armenia Party, a member of the ruling coalition, later joined the initia-tive. The ruling Republican Party refused to fulfil its empty promises and take concrete steps thus did not join this format. This is a unique situation in Armenia’s history : po-litical parties of various beliefs and ideo-logies, who at times have even been foes, have come together to ensure openness and fairness in the elections. If this struc-ture is fully established in the near future

and all efforts are successfully combined to identify and prevent violations of the Electoral Code and problems alike, then there will be a realistic chance of preven-ting election fraud.

Unfortunately, all other suggestions and recommendations made by the ANC, in-cluding the requirement for inking fin-gers and publishing lists of citizens not resident in the country (Armenian legisla-tion does not allow participation in elec-tions from abroad), were rejected by the authorities. In addition to this, the National Assembly adopted a new law on the State of Emergency, which practically allows the president to use military force in “maintai-ning order” during internal political dis-putes. This is highly unconstitutional, as the Armenian Constitution clearly states that the military is to be neutral in politi-cal issues and serve only to protect the ex-ternal borders of the country.

We believe this was done so rapidly and particularly right ahead of the upcoming elections, in order to instigate fear among the people and prevent protests and de-monstrations should another rigged elec-tion occur.

by Aram Manukyan,Leader of the Armenian

National Movement

Signs of hope in Armenia ?


Europe’s interest in a prosperous Armenia

I admit to having a secret passion for

Armenia. My first visit was shortly after in-

dependence, in the chaos following the col-

lapse of the Soviet Union. As part of the

first European Commission team that signed

cooperation agreements with the newly in-

dependent states, I flew from Kazakhstan,

via Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan,

Tajikistan and Azerbaijan to Armenia.

Landing in Yerevan felt like Europe after

the «Stans». I have since been back for poli-

tics and vacations, drank the waters in beau-

tiful Jermuk and climbed my first peak above

4000m in Armenia.

As a small southern Caucasian republic

between Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan and

Iran, Armenia rarely makes international

headlines ; usually only if the conflict in

Nagorno Karabakh heats up or another

country recognises the mass killings of

Armenians in 1915 as genocide. For Iranian

tourists the country is the land of the free.

Couples throw off the hijab and sip excellent

Armenian wines, to get respite from the re-

pression at home.

However, for Armenian Liberals it has been

a chequered situation. ELDR member party

Armenian National Movement (ANM) played

a crucial role in Armenia’s independence

and gave Armenia its first President, Levon

Ter-Petrossian (1991-98). However, much has

changed since this glorious beginning.

Following highly controversial and frau-

dulent Presidential elections in 2008, the op-

position staged peaceful protests led by the

ANM. Former President Levon Ter-Petrossian

obtained 21.5% of the votes. In the run up

to the elections there were several attacks

against ANM offices and campaign rallies, as

well as physical attacks at polling stations on

Election Day. Following peaceful demonstra-

tions contesting the results of the elections,

the protests turned violent on 1 March 2008

when sleeping protesters were attacked and

8 demonstrators and 2 policemen were kil-

led and hundreds injured. There has ne-

ver been an independent investigation into

the events and no one has been prosecu-

ted for the killings. The timing of the ELDR

Council in Yerevan is pertinent : it will take

place only one week after the first national

elections since those dreadful events took

place. Naturally, we hope all political eyes

will be on these elections, on 6 May, to in-

sist they must be free and fair.

Nevertheless, democracy is of course more

than elections. And here much work remains

to be done, both in the field of political and

economic freedoms.

The former Armenian Foreign Minister,

Vartan Oskanian, provided in May 2009

an astoundingly frank description of po-

litics and economics in the region, discus-

sing «fake elections» and arguing that «ex-

cept for a brief period immediately after

independence, our societies have not expe-

rienced governments who enjoy the consent

of the governed». Referring specifically to

Armenia, he wrote that «the firm, integra-

ted personal networks of power centres in

government and big business are a huge

roadblock to the country’s development.

Regardless of who is the country’s political

leader, power continues to be shared among

the business-government elite.»

Armenia can at best be characterized as a

“managed democracy”. Independent media

and civil society organizations face a num-

ber of restrictions, including aggressive tax

inspections, strict application of libel laws

as well as physical attacks when exposing

corruption and shady dealings. Vote buying

for candidates and parties as well as pres-

sure on public servants to vote for certain

parties remain common, too.

This should stimulate all Armenians to take

up their responsibility and be more active in

fighting for democratic change. A recent poll

conducted by the US National Democratic

Institute found that only 12 percent of voters

expect the upcoming elections to be demo-

cratic. Those who want to build democracy

in Armenia must not stop short of promises

but must start implementing change. Reform

and real opportunity must be given to all

and not be reserved for the few. As liberals

we feel solidarity with all those fighting for

freedom and prosperity and stand ready

to support progressive forces of change in

Armenia and elsewhere.

In the face of momentous changes in the

world such as the Arab Spring in the Middle

East and the rise of the BRIC economies, it

may be tempting to neglect developments in

Europe’s smaller regional neighbours. I think

this would be a mistake. We should help our

Armenian friends seize the occasion and to

shape the country they want to build and

live, not just out of solidarity, but because it

is in Europe’s own interest to be surrounded

by stable, prosperous neighbours.

by Lousewies van der Laan, ELDR Party Vice President

Liberals have a long tradition of debate and are fundamentally open to different ideas and perspectives. This is what lies behind the Focus Year initiative launched by the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party in 2010. Our aim is to offer a European platform for debate on how to tackle, from a liberal perspective, some of the crucial issues for Europe’s future. The debates took place primarily on www.eldrfocus.eu and comprised a number of contributions from the local, national and European level.

This year, our focus is on Energy transi-tion. What does the current energy poli-cy in Europe look like ? Where does the energy come from ? How will the future of energy consumption be shaped ? Energy is one of the key issues in the EU which concerns each Member State. So have your say : what’s your view on the EU energy transition challenge ?

by Sir Graham Watson MEP, President of the ELDR Party

Focus Year 2012 : Have your say on Energy transition !

Liberal views on energy“It is important to achieve energy self-sufficiency. In this respect nu-clear power is not a separate part of the energy policy debate, but at this stage it is time to move to a discussion in which all forms of ener-gy production targets are analysed and estimated at the same time. It should be possible to exploit more renewable energy sources. Renewable energy sources enable a significant number of job opportunities. The availability of biomass should not be an obstacle for the use of re-newable energy sources.”

Riikka Manner MEP, Keskusta, Finland

“Many compromises need to be made by both ministers and the European Parliament. Now it is important that the support that the ministers have shown to the Presidency is transmitted to the nego-tiation table in Brussels with a higher level of ambition. We agreed that the ETS is the cornerstone in the strategy towards a low-emission European society in 2050”

Martin Lidegaard, Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Building, Radikale Venstre, Denmark

“We have to design our products in such a way that we use fewer re-sources and make it easier to regain the materials used. Innovation is extremely important. We all know the importance of rare earth metals, solar panels, wind turbines etc. and we won’t reach our renewable energy targets if we are totally dependent on rare earth. We have to find alternatives.”

Gerben Jan Gerbrandy MEP, D66, the Netherlands

“The European Union and its Member States are already facing the challenges of energy supply, as well as the impact these will have on growth and the environment. Recent developments on the internatio-nal scene and the political instability in some key regions in the world supplying energy to the European Union also need to be taken into ac-count when further defining a common and realistic European ener-gy strategy.”

Antonyia Parvanova MEP, NMSP, Bulgaria


Interview with Chris Davies on Energy transition

In March, the European Parliament supported your report on the European Commission’s «Roadmap for moving to a low-carbon economy», which sets a poli-cy framework for the European Union to achieve an 80-95% reduction in its CO

2

emissions by 2050. What are the key ele-ments in your report ?

It makes plenty of suggestions for action

across the board but strip my report down

and there are just two messages that really

matter : endorsing the Roadmap and reco-

gnising that the Emissions Trading Scheme

is not working as intended. In terms of the

Roadmap, we must recognise that this says

the EU must by 2030 reduce its CO2 emis-

sions by 40% compared to 1990 levels if it is

to achieve its long term goal, and that this will

in turn require a reduction of 25% by 2020.

As far as the Emissions Trading Scheme goes

there is an unanticipated surplus of carbon

allowances that depresses prices and will not

go away even if the economy picks up big

time ; the European Commission must take

measures to increase correct this imbalance.

Although the Roadmap has the declared sup-

port in the Council of 26 Member States its

formal endorsement has been opposed by

Poland. Parliament’s strong support gives the

Climate Action Commissioner the moral au-

thority to bring forward specific proposals to

reduce CO2 emissions as required, even in

the absence of Council unanimity.

Is furthering the ETS or taxation based on the polluter pays principle the answer ?

Member States must take steps to reduce global

warming emissions in ways that best suit their

circumstances. Taxes are bound to be one of the

tools they can use but they are a national res-

ponsibility and out of bounds for the EU. The

ETS, on the hand, is an EU mechanism and one

that we must continue to develop, especially as

more and more countries around the world adopt

similar cap-and-trade systems of their own. The

major installations within the ETS are required

to reduce their emissions by 1.74% every year

and so far they have done even better than that.

The problem we face is that the price of carbon

allowances has fallen so low, with no real ex-

pectations at present of a dramatic mum term

increase, that the incentive to invest in techno-

logy that emits less CO2 hardly exists.

What about the role for renewables ? How can we prevent lack of electricity when the wind is not blowing and the sun not shining ?

Don’t put all our eggs in one basket ! Varied

sources of supply will provide the best se-

curity, although we can also develop better

cross-border links so that electricity can be

bought when local conditions affect domestic

supplies from renewables. Until we can find

effective ways of storing electricity on a large

scale, heavy dependence on renewables will

require back up from gas plants that can ge-

nerate electricity at short notice. Of course,

duplication like this comes at a price.

Why do you believe the EU should be a front runner and go beyond the 2020 commitment of a 20% reduction in green-house gas emissions ?

I’m frightened of the EU being left behind.

Even though we do not yet have a binding

international agreement to reduce emissions,

the technology to do so is being developed

and applied extensively. China is emitting

more and more CO2 from its vast number of

coal power stations, but it’s also installing

more wind turbines than the whole of Europe

and I believe that a high-tech, low-carbon

strategy will be the way forward for many

fast-growing economies. In the developed

democracies of Europe, with our checks and

balances and consultative planning arrange-

ments, we are slow to get things done. If we

don’t keep our eyes on the future, and direct

our investment in that way too, we risk being

overtaken by the next generation.

Some believe that tighter targets could lead to “carbon leakage” – in other

words, the loss of business to third countries. How can we prevent this ? Are there specific sectors which would be most affected ?

Let’s be clear, this is not an environment

versus industry matter. There is no benefit

to anyone in seeing energy-intensive indus-

tries relocating outside Europe, only to carry

on emitting the same global warming gases

that contribute to climate change - «exporting

jobs and importing CO2» as one Commissioner

used to describe it. I have no objection to

special exemptions of one kind or another

being granted where there is a proven risk

of ‘carbon leakage’, but it really must be pro-

ven and not be based simply on special plea-

ding by industries trying to avoid paying

higher energy costs that affect everyone. I

also think we should explore the idea of a

border tax on goods from countries that are

making no commitment to reduce green-

house gases. Liberals believe in free trade

but if we are to secure an international agree-

ment to fight climate change Europe should

be prepared to use the tools it has available

to achieve the aim.

It is hoped that by 2015, the EU will have achieved an energy single market for gas and electricity without boundaries and frontiers. Some say that this will come at a high cost. Is locally produced ener-gy the future ?

There are good environmental and economic

arguments for a return to more local sources

of energy production, and there are many

examples that illustrate this in practice, but

if we are to have low carbon electricity from

fossil fuels using carbon, capture and storage

technology, or from nuclear plants, we will

still require transmission from large installa-

tions over long distances. The same will be

true if one day we get solar electricity from

the Sahara Desert.

Chris Davies MEP is the ALDE Group’s Co-ordinator on the European

Parliament’s environment committee, and was the Parliament’s rapporteur for

the Commission’s proposed ‘Roadmap to a competitive low-carbon

economy by 2050’.


Gathered in Palermo, Italy, the ELDR Party on Friday 18 November 2011 elected Sir Graham Watson (Liberal Democrats, UK) as its new President for the coming two years ! In his speech, drawing on great li-beral thinkers from Adam Smith to Johan Norberg, Sir Graham made a strong case for the need of liberal thought in today’s Europe, and the central place for the ELDR Party in this process. He promised to make ELDR stronger, smarter and the suprana-

tional force in Europe. In his acceptance speech Sir Graham stated : «It is our job as Liberals to explain how we offer a real, principled and economically responsible al-ternative to the behemoths of conservatism and socialism. And as President of ELDR I intend to do just that.»

The ELDR Party also elected five Vice Presidents. While Marc Guerrero (CDC, Catalonia), Lousewies van der Laan (D66,

The Netherlands) and Leoluca Orlando (IDV, Italy) were re-elected for another term ; Alexander Graf Lambsdorff (FDP, Germany) and Astrid Thors (SFP, Finland) are new additions to the ELDR Party Bureau.

The ELDR Congress also adopted a theme resolution on “A budget for Europe : libe-ral priorities for the EU budget 2014-2020.”

ELDR Congress in Palermo elects new President

ELDR President Sir Graham Watson and Italia dei Valori leader Antonio di Pietro

Former Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Professor Pankaj Ghemawat

Former President Annemie Neyts Uyttebroeck launching the little Liberal Book

Congress in session

Candidates for the ELDR Bureau : Lousewies van der Laan, Astrid Thors, Kristiina Ojuland

In memoriam : former ELDR President Viscount Willy De Clercq

Folk dance from Sicily

Past LI President Lord Alderdice, LI President Hans van Baalen and ALDE Leader Guy Verhofstadt


Join the ELDR Party Congress 2012 in Dublin !

The Congress of the ELDR is the num-ber one event for European Liberal Democrats who want to adopt po-licies, network and debate in the

European context. The 2012 Congress will take place in Dublin on 8-10 November. The main theme this year will be a liberal roadmap for ener-

gy transition in Europe. In addition to debates on this issue, there will be a fringe programme catering for a broad range of interests, as well as exclusive sessions for parliamentarians.

Join the 500 European Liberal Democrat ministers, party leaders, Commissioners, national and European parliamentarians, local councillors, Associate members and party activists and have your say on European policy making !

More info : [email protected] or +32.2.2370140

Dublin, irelanD 8-10 november 2012

Dublin, irelanD 8-10 november 2012

Vice President Leoluca Orlando with ANM leader Aram Manukyan and Levik Khachatryan

Congress in session Democratic Alliance leader Dora Bakoyannis and MEP Olle Schmidt

Ready for the Bureau elections

ELDR Vice President Vesna Pusic, Croatia’s Foreign Minister

Treasurer Roman Jakic and former Secretary General Lex Corijn with ELDR secretariat member Eva Felgueroso who sadly passed away in December 2011

Regional minister Jürgen Martens, ALDE Committee of the Regions leader Flo Clucas and ELDR President Sir Graham Watson


Since Denmark assumed the Presidency at a time when the EU is facing perhaps its greatest challenge ever, and following the EU Summit of 8–9 December 2011, which decided upon a number of very important de-cisions to stabilise the euro, including the intergovernmental agreement on a “fiscal compact”, what role is there for Denmark’s EU Presidency ?

The Danish EU presidency has an important role to play at a time when dividing lines have been drawn between euro and non-euro member states as well as between fiscal com-pact member and non-member countries. As a small country, Denmark has the possibility to step into the role of a neutral broker, who can push the important agenda on econo-mic recovery forward and try to reach effec-tive, efficient and implementable solutions.

The Danish EU Presidency focuses on a responsible, dynamic, green and safe Europe. Could you outline a proposal which, for your party, is key to achieve these objectives ?

The energy efficiency directive is a propo-sal combining the need for immediate and long-term growth with ambitions of making Europe the greenest and most climate-friendly region in the world. If we dare lead the green revolution, millions of new jobs in the ener-gy, transport, manufacturing and other indus-tries will be created in Europe – not in China or other fast growing economies. A very im-portant side effect is that we will become in-dependent of energy imports from authori-tarian regimes and fragile semi-democracies. (note from the editor: Danish Environment

Minister Martin Lidegaard of Radikale Venstre

is chairing the debate on the energy efficiency

directive in the EU’s council of ministers.)

The negotiations for the EU budget 2014-2020, the so-called Multiannual Financial Framework, are ongoing. For Denmark, what should ideal-ly be the political outcome of these negotiations ?

It is not realistic that the negotiations on the MFF will be concluded during the Danish presidency. On the other hand, we wish to advance them as much as possible while making sure that the MFF supports the goals set in the Europe 2020 strategy.

Denmark is a country renowned for its success in renewable energy and its creation of growth without increased resource and energy consumption. How does the Presidency go about achieving the same at the EU level ?

As I have mentioned above, the energy effi-ciency directive is one step on the road to-wards making Europe independent of fossil

fuels. But many more initiatives need to be taken, agreed upon and implemented. It is no secret that Denmark would have very much liked to see the Low-Carbon Roadmap 2050 adopted. The same goes for a green and cli-mate friendly Energy Roadmap 2050. Only by thinking in completely new ways and by daring to set ambitious goals will Europe get long term and sustainable growth.

Finally, in the early 1990s Denmark ne-gotiated four opt-outs on EU policies : defence, justice and home affairs, the euro and union citizenship. In recent years, the rest of the EU has developed substantial policies in these areas. Does the Danish government intend to opt-in on some of these policies ?

The Danish government, which assumed power in October last year, has promised to put two opt-outs to a referendum : the one on the common security and defence policy as well as the opt-out on justice and home affairs. Regarding the latter, the Danish go-vernment wishes to transform the opt-out into an opt-in – parallel to the British mo-del. The pro-European opposition parties fully support this referendum model.

At the moment, a referendum on the euro opt-out would surely result in an overwhel-ming “no”. But there need not be any doubt that my party and I personally deeply wish for Danish euro participation in the future.

Sofie Carsten Nielsen MP is EU affairs spokesperson for

ELDR member Radikale Venstre

The Danish EU Presidency : interview with Sofie Carsten Nielsen

Support the European liberal values and become an asso-ciate member of the ELDR.

For 25€ annually, associate membership cardholders have privileged access to ELDR events, home delivery of publi-cations and much more. Many citizens from around Europe have already joined ELDR.

Would you like to sign up too ? Go to www.eldr.eu/en/associatemembership or scan the QR code with your smart phone !

Join the ELDR Party !


Facts and figures of the Danish EU Presidency

A budget for EuropeOne of the priorities of the Danish Presidency is working to ensure a res-ponsible European economy. Europe must be brought out of the crisis, a new crisis must be prevented and the focus must be put on strengthening growth and job crea-tion. All EU Member States must implement the necessary measures to consolidate pu-blic finances and carry out the necessary reforms. This is a precondition for resto-ring market confidence in the European economies, for getting out of the crisis, and for embarking on the path to growth. We will also enhance supervision and regula-tion of the financial sector for the purpose of preventing financial crises in the future

Energy savings

The Danish Presidency will set a proactive agenda for promoting green and sustai-nable growth. The aim is to create growth without increased resource and energy consumption. And it can be done. In re-cent years the EU has developed an am-bitious energy and climate policy, which means that the EU is taking the lead at global level. New initiatives will be made to maintain this position. A key objective will be to adopt measures improving re-

source and energy efficiency in Europe. Furthermore, energy, climate and environ-mental considerations will be integrated in more EU policies.

Single market

In order to get out of the crisis, it is also crucial to create revitalised growth and employment in Europe. The Single Market is one of the greatest EU successes. The Single Market is, among other things, to be brought into the digital age by making it easier and safer to trade on-line and by lowering roaming prices across borders. As part of the further development of the Single Market, we must at the same time secure respect for employees’ rights by en-suring that rules regarding pay and wor-king conditions are complied with.

External relations

As new global powers are emerging there is a need for a stronger joint approach by European countries to take a unified role on the global scene. The Lisbon Treaty has provided the EU with a valuable new basis for achieving increased global in-fluence through the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and a

Common European External Action service. With respect to enlargement, the Danish Presidency will continue a policy based on own merits as a basis for progress in the ne-gotiations. The European Neighbourhood Policy is an important tool to ensure good and lasting relations with the EU’s neigh-bouring countries.

Connecting Europe

The Danish Presidency sees efficient trans-European infrastructures as fundamental for the smooth operation of the single mar-ket, the mobility of persons and goods, and the economic, social and territorial cohe-sion of the EU. Therefore the negotiations on the Connecting Europe Facility and re-vision of sectoral guidelines will be an im-portant issue to the benefit of well-functio-ning transport, energy and ICT networks across the EU. The proposals to build the roads, railways, energy grids and pipelines, as well as broadband networks of impor-tance to citizens and businesses, will gene-rate growth and jobs and at the same time make work and travel easier in Europe.


The Slovak Freedom & Solidarity party (SaS), a member of ELDR, gained 5.88% in the recent March 2012 early general elec-tions in Slovakia. Although this result is di-sappointing in comparison with the 12.14% gained in 2010, the result itself makes SaS the first liberal party in Slovakia to repea-tedly win seats in the national parliament. SaS’ current ambition is to «grow up» in the four years ahead of being in the opposition and to build a solid liberal party, which should tip the balance between the socia-lists and the conservatives in the future.

After the four party coalition government in October 2011 dissolved (an event caused by the then Prime Minister Radicova’s lin-king of the vote on the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) with a confidence

vote on the government), all parliamenta-ry parties including the opposition agreed to hold new general elections on 10 March 2012.

Robert Fico’s party, SMER - the social de-mocrats -, scored over 44% of the votes cast thus gaining an 83-seat majority in the na-tional parliament of 150 MPs. He became the Prime Minister-elect and started for-ming his cabinet right after the elections.

It is only the second time in Slovak mo-dern history that one party has been able to form a government. Fico’s key message in the campaign was to provide citizens with social certainties at a time of global crisis.

The main themes of the elections included unemployment, corruption, and the decrea-sing standard of living and social security. The entire campaign was dubbed as «the dirtiest» ever, marked with several real and some fabricated eavesdropping and cor-ruption scandals. To many analysts’ sur-prise, these events decimated mainly the centre-right parties of the former govern-ment and, despite the fact that the scan-dals concerned all relevant political par-ties, the social democrats seemed to have fared much better than the rest of the po-litical spectrum.

The Christian Democrats (KDH) scored over 8%, followed by a new party called Ordinary People with approximately 8% of the votes. Most - Hid (a bi-ethnic Slovak-Hungarian party) managed to gain 7% of

the vote. The last two parties to make it to the Parliament were SDKU-DS (party of the former two-time Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda) with 6% and the Liberals (SaS) with almost 6% of the vote.

SaS’ weaker performance in these elec-tions can be attributed mainly to the fol-lowing factors : the absence of functio-nal and well-manned regional structures, a loss of the newcomer status, the di-sappointment of voters with insufficient delivery on the 2010 election vows (for example the overhaul of the social secu-rity system, decriminalisation of cannabis and the promotion of same-sex marriage, etc.) and also to several political mistakes made by the leaders, which further under-mined the trust of their non-core electo-rate. In the 20 months as part of the gover-ning coalition, SaS became a party of the educated, middle-to-high income citizens and Slovaks who do not trust the massive European bailout mechanisms. In compa-rison with the 2010 elections, the distri-bution of their votes came predominantly from the bigger cities. Encouragingly, SaS ended up as the second party in the capi-tal Bratislava, scoring almost 15%.

by Juraj Droba MP, Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Affairs

Committee, Head of Foreign Relations, SaS, Slovakia

How Slovakian liberals returned to Parliament

The new ELDR BULLETIN !

You probably noticed the new format and style of the ELDR BULLETIN. Three times a year, we’ll deliver news and insights from the European liberal family. We hope you like the new format and don’t hesitate to give us feedback at [email protected]


A liberal drink with Xavier Bettel

What or who motivated you to enter politics ?I always loved to participate in any form of politics. I organised my first petition and demonstration when I was aged just 9 : I motivated the children in my class to ask for a playground in our school and it worked ! I entered the Demokratesch Partei when I was 15.

Do you remember the first ever inter-national liberal event in which you participated ? That was back in the late 1980s in Gummersbach, Germany (ndlr : Theodor Heuss Akademie of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for liberty) for a LYMEC se-minar. The first time I participated in an ELDR event was at the 1995 Congress in Stockholm, Sweden.

Where do you stand on the political spectrum ?I consider my wallet on the right side and my heart on the left. I am in favour of so-cial politics as an elevator to get out of a weak situation and not stay in that situa-tion. Also, I’m in favour of legislation for the right to legal abortion and euthanasia as well as gay weddings.

What is your favourite quote ? Carpe Diem

A cup filled half-way is… …still not full !

The best example of government waste is…How many pages do I have ? ;-)

How do you feel about freedom of speech in Europe ?In the 27 EU member states I believe the situation is fine, but we should not forget that just around the corner that is not the case anymore.

The most convincing evidence that brainwashing exists in Europe is the fact that some truly believe…That voting extremes would help.

What should be the highest law in Europe ? Human rights

What are the greatest books of all time ? The liberal manifesto for sure… lol. Can’t figure one out, depends of my mood.

Three best things in life… My partner, my family, my friends

What do you fear ? Snakes and extremes

Do you remember the last time you danced ? Last month !

What is your favourite restaurant in Luxembourg ?Simply Thai, which is close to our house.

Have you ever read the Communist Manifesto ?I don’t even think about it !

Xavier Bettel is Mayor of Luxembourg, and parliamentary group leader of ELDR

member Demokratesch Partei

Liberal Movers and Shakers

In March, Rebecca Taylor (Liberal Democrat, UK) be-came new Lib Dem MEP for the region of Yorkshire and the Humber in England, fol-lowing the resignation of Diana Wallis earlier this year.

Long time ELDR Congress delegate Michael Link be-came Germany’s new Minister for European af-fairs, following the appoint-ment of Dr. Werner Hoyer as President of the European Investment Bank.

Former Minister of Defence Jozo Radoš MP (HNS, Croatia) became the first li-beral observer MEP from Croatia, following the si-gning of Croatia’s EU acces-sion treaty.

Phil Bennion (Liberal Democrat UK) succeeded Liz Lynne as MEP for the elec-toral region of the West-Midlands. Bennion is a mem-ber of the EP employment and social affairs committee.



It is a truth universally acknowledged that

difficult times call for radical solutions and

the first few months of 2012 have been no

exception in EU politics.

European unity in the face of Eurozone crisis

There is no doubt that one of the biggest chal-

lenges for the EU at the moment is maintai-

ning a sense of solidarity between its members

while faced with the Euro crisis. The European

Stability Mechanism, set up earlier this year,

is of course key to recovery. However, expe-

rience from the 1930s teaches us that it must

be accompanied by measures to stimulate

growth and provide jobs. I think it is never

wise to write current economic fashion into

treaties - economic circumstances can change.

Playing fast and loose with democracy in Hungary

Difficult times however also sometimes pro-

vide an excuse for some leaders to override

a country’s democratic foundations. Hungary

is a case in point, where the EPP-affiliated

Fidesz party has attempted to use its parlia-

mentary supermajority to expand its influence

over the country’s judicial system, central bank

and media. This is a serious breach of the in-

dependence of these institutions, which are

a core part of democratic governance, sound

economic policy and free speech.

The Liberal ALDE group in the European

Parliament has called on the European

Commission to use Article 7 of the EU trea-

ties, which allows for EU countries that flout

EU values to be punished. The Commission

has promised to use all its powers to stop what

is happening in Hungary.

Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement controversy

This year has also marked a controversy about

the Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement

(ACTA) which has caused real concern wit-

hin the online community in particular.

I have received over 4,000 emails about it

in my constituency office. For me, it’s not

ACTA’s goal which should worry liberals like

ourselves, but rather possible unintended

consequences of the way it might be imple-

mented, such as denial of Internet access to

citizens who breach its provisions.

New Parliament President

January saw the election of a new European

Parliament president. Unfortunately this was

not much of a celebration of democracy but

rather a EPP and S&D stitch up resulting in the

election of a German Socialist, Martin Schulz.

My fellow UK Liberal Democrat Diana Wallis

put up a spirited fight but came in third, one

vote behind a maverick UK Conservative.

Nevertheless the two of them took over 40%

of the votes cast, denying the victor the subs-

tantial majority he would have liked. Liberals

succeeded in electing two Vice-Presidents,

Edward McMillan Scott from the UK and

Alexander Alvaro from Germany.

Taking the climate change threat seriously

The European Commission has published

a working paper saying that a 30% cut in

carbon emissions is ‘feasible, beneficial and

much cheaper than previously thought’ - a

great step forward. The European Parliament

also adopted a report supporting the

Commission’s 2050 roadmap to a low car-

bon economy, which was steered through

the Parliament by Liberal Chris Davies MEP.

Cutting costs, saving money and countering inequalities in a liberal way

Liberals called on the European Commission

to investigate ways of halving the amount of

food thrown away as waste by 2025. A recent

survey has shown that as much as €72 billion

could be saved and 400,000 jobs created if an

attempt was made to cut down on food waste.

Liberals have yet again been at the fore-

front of the call for a single seat for the

European Parliament which would save a

fair amount of money. Frustratingly, MEPs

are not masters of our own fates on this

- the decision as to where Parliament sits

lies with the 27 governments - but we are

gaining more and more support within the

European Parliament, making the two seat

arrangement ever more untenable.

Finally, Liberals have remained faithful to the

cause of gender equality by supporting the

Commission’s proposal to legislate for quo-

tas for women on company boards (30% by

2015 and 40% by 2020) and called for quo-

tas to increase their representation in par-

liaments. Liberals have also set an EU-wide

goal to reduce the pay gap between men

and women by 10%. I am taking steps to re-

vive the European Liberal Women’s Network

to involve more people in such campaigns.

by Sir Graham Watson MEP,

President of the ELDR Party

President’s corner

European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party, aisbl

Rue�Montoyerstraat�31,�1000�Brussels

Tel . 02 237 01 44 - Fax 02 231 19 07

Editor : Daniel�Tanahatoe,�ELDR

Publisher : Didrik�de�Schaetzen,�ELDR

Lay-out and printing : Trinome.be

� With support of the European Parliament

CaLENDaR - UPCoMINg EvENTs ELDR Party Council in Yerevan,�Armenia,�11�May�2012

ELF Roundtable “Energy security for Europe - liberal perspectives”, Yerevan,�Armenia�12�May�2012

Congress svenska Folkpartiet in Karleby, Finland,�8-10�June�2012

Congress suomen Keskusta in Rovaniemi, Finland,�8-10�June�2012

vvD Congress in The Hague,�The�Netherlands,�22-23�June�2012

Prime Ministers lunch, Brussels,�Belgium,�28�June�2012

ELDR Bulletin (1st issue)

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Transcript of ELDR Bulletin (1st issue)