50 years after liberals first gathered in Stuttgart to found the ALDE Party, we returned to where it all began.
On 26 March 1976, liberal and democrat parties created the first cross-border European political family in history in Stuttgart. At this gathering, liberal leaders signed the Stuttgart Declaration, a truly visionary document of its kind.
Some attendees in Stuttgart were even present during the ALDE Party’s foundation in 1976. Among them, former Treasurer of Liberal International, Manfred R. Eisenbach described the atmosphere on that day five decades ago:
"I remember the spirit of the founding fathers. There was such an atmosphere in Stuttgart, which told the audience that it should be a success. It was carried by the spirit of the participants, and I was lucky that I was able to witness that. It left such an impression on me that I devoted some of my political life to ALDE Party. I wish the next 50 years all the best and all success.”
Former MEP and leader of the Liberal Group in the Council of Europe, Manfred Vohrer, was also in attendance, giving further insight into ALDE Party’s foundation:
“In 1976, we were very happy to have a European liberal party with common sense. After the foundation of the liberal group, ELDR at the time, it was courageous to start a liberal programme, making a consistent liberal policy for Europeans.”
What started as a bold commitment to freedom and democracy has grown into a strong liberal family shaping Europe’s future. After half a century, liberals reflected on shared achievements, priorities and hopes for the future.
The celebration kicked off with speeches by ALDE Party President Svenja Hahn MEP and FDP Chair, Christian Dürr, who reflected on how far liberals have come together in a world where polarisation is growing and a liberal outlook is more important than ever.
President Hahn declared: "Whether in Stuttgart, Vienna, or Brussels, we liberals fight for a strong economy and better opportunities for everyone."
We also held a fireside chat with State Secretary for European and International Affairs of Austria, Sepp Schellhorn, who spoke on the future of liberalism and how liberals can deliver visible reforms such as simplification while maintaining public trust and strengthening democratic credibility through real-world professional experience.
Liberals celebrated the first ALDE Party 50th anniversary event by cutting a commemorative cake and launching a time capsule in which participants placed their messages for future generations inside, to be opened in 2076.
After five decades of fighting for freedom, democracy and individual rights, liberals made clear in Stuttgart that we will not stop there.
The next chapter of European liberalism begins where the first one was written. Stay tuned for a year full of ALDE Party events just like this one to mark out 50th anniversary year.