Europe’s challenges are mounting and liberals need to turn ideas into practical answers. The Conferentie Zuid 2026, held in Tilburg on 31 October, sought to tackle Europe’s preparedness by taking of populism, food security, cross-border crime, new technology and more.
Organised by ALDE Party members D66 and Anders., the conference brought together liberal politicians, experts and party members for a day of workshops and discussion about the future of liberal democracy in Europe.
The day opened with words from Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy MEP (D66, NL) and Rik Daems (Anders., BE), setting the scene for a programme that connected Europe’s biggest political questions with the issues shaping people’s everyday lives.
Understanding populism:
One of the day’s central questions was how liberals can respond to the rise of populism. Dutch psychologist and bestselling author Huub Buijssen presented his book Tegen populisme (Against Populism), exploring how populist leaders use fear, division and familiar psychological triggers to win support.
Later, Guy Verhofstadt steered the discussion to wider state of democracy with his book De burger in opstand (The Citizen in Revolt). It explores growing frustration with politics, declining trust in democratic institutions and the influence of authoritarian leaders, asking how citizens can regain a meaningful voice in the democratic process.
The conference also made space for a wider political discussion between Alexandra van Huffelen, D66 party chair, Frédéric De Gucht, Anders. leader and Fatimazhra Belhirch, ALDE Party Vice-President.
Putting ideas into practice:
The day was especially shaped by the various workshops available to participants which brought these wider questions into practical focus.
Participants explored how businesses can trade more easily across borders and how Europe can build a healthier, more resilient food supply, including through greater use of plant-based food. Other discussions looked at the future of universities and science, and how imagining different futures can help turn long-term ambitions into action.
Security and European autonomy also featured. Sessions examined technologies with civilian and military uses, including efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption at military camps. The digital euro prompted debate about privacy, financial autonomy and the future of public money, while discussions on cross-border crime highlighted the need for countries to work together. The programme also addressed how to build a fairer legal system for women and girls.
Building a shared liberal response:
The day made clear that democracy depends on citizens feeling that politics listens and can deliver. By bringing D66 and Anders members together with European politicians and experts, Conferentie Zuid offered an opportunity to test ideas, exchange perspectives and strengthen connections across the liberal family.
Preparing for Europe’s future means asking difficult questions and working together to find practical answers. That is a task liberal parties cannot tackle alone.