Visit our Facebook pageThis year the ALDE party met at Amsterdam for its congress. The European Liberal Democratic family consists of more than 60-member parties
Hans van Baalen
across the continent and more than 50 members of the European Parliament who are part of the ALDE Group. Hans van Baalen MEP (Member of the VVD) has been president of the ALDE Party since 2015 and was re-elected during the congress.
During the afternoon VVD and D66 organized a debate on Fighting Populism.
In the discussion one of the elements was that many people have the feeling that politicians do not listen and don’t solve problems. Populists talk about fear, and often walk away from responsibilities but still they get voters all over Europe.
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It really is a wake-up call for all the parties that democracy is not easy to keep and needs maintenance every day. We as liberals must fix problems. Not try to explain what is wrong but instead give solutions and implement them.
One approach is to address emotion, so provide personality and be authentic.
As Yair Lapid, Chair Yesh Atid from Israel said, “populism was already there in the 4th century according to Socrates”
So, we must learn to find a way to cope with populism in this instable world.
Antonio Roldán, MP from Spain, finds economic populism the most important problem.
His advice was:
- You need “reform champions”
- Equal opportunities for workers
- Anti-corruption
- Pro-market and pro-business attitude
- Gaining sovereignty through Europe
- Communicate well and value emotions
Alexander Pechtold
Also Chair Markus Loening, ALDE party Vice President, took the view that more emotion, not the policy, but the plans are important. The authentic attitude is necessary to affiliate with the problems: why, how and what are the words to use for understanding problems. It is important not to get into the frame of others. For many people the love of their country ultimately ending in patriotism is what we see in many parts of Europe. Instead of blind patriotism one can also ask the question that was asked so many years ago by Martin Luther King: what can you do for your country?
The official opening was done by Hans van Baalen MEP
Margretha Vestager
and Party President and Guy Verhofstadt, MEP and ALDE group leader.
The key-note speeches were given by;
Alexander Pechtold MP and Party leader D66
Margrethe Vestager, European Commissioner for Competition, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, PM Luxembourg.
This was followed by a debate on Renewing Democracy in the 21st Century. Some statements were given by the panel members Alexander Pechtold, Albert Rivera MP, Party leader Ciudadanos, Bart Somers, Alde-Cor-President and Margretha Vestager.
Mark Rutte
On Saturday Prime Minister Mark Rutte gave a speech (for the various speeches please go to www.aldeparty.eu) and Mark Rutte was one of the members in a panel discussion organized by the Friedrich Neumann Foundation:
“Renewal, Reinvigoration, Reform a Roadmap for a successful Europe to 2019 and beyond”.
Corinne Hörst/ Gwendolyn Rutten/ Nicola Beer/ Christiaan Lindner/Mark Rutte
Moderator was Corinne Hörst; other panel members were Gwendolyn Rutten, Leader of Open VLD, Belgium,
Nicola Beer, FDP, Germany, Christiaan Lindner MP Party Leader, FDP Germany.
Gwendoyn Rutten said Europe is about the three P’s; Europe belongs to the People, it gives Prosperity with its free market and Europe has given Peace.
Europe has too many laws, so more focus is needed, we share ideas, but the migration problems are cause for chaos. So, a more active policy and a one border policy are necessary. European defense policy must be set up. Migration means that our identity is influenced. But we should recognize that we don’t have one identity but consist of many identities. Europe also has diversity and so many identities. Values, on the other hand, must be taught at school as well as freedom of speech and religion. We must stick up for our values. Values are not negotiable.
The core business of Europe is still: Safety and Jobs! And to invest in people and education.
There were more than 1400 Liberals present from all over Europe at this very interesting ALDE congress. Also, several members of INLW including three members of the Board, Margaret de Vos van Steenwijk (President), Lysbeth van Valkenburg-Lely (Treasurer) and Ruth Richardson (Member).
Board members Margaret, Ruth and Lysbeth with PM Mark Rutte
The Dutch delegation with PM Mark Rutte
Margaret de Vos van Steenwijk
President INLW
Lysbeth van Valkenburg,
Treasurer INLW
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