At this year’s ALDE Party Congress, the Council Meeting discussed key issues on the liberal agenda and aligned membership on strategic priorities ahead of the wider Congress sessions across the weekend.
The meeting covered several key agenda items, from revising internal regulations and statues and renewing our commitment to gender balance in politics.
In membership affairs, the meeting confirmed that ALDE Party member Anders officially changed their party name from Open VLD as announced by party leader Frederic De Gucht in January.
Five urgency resolutions were agreed for discussion on Saturday, with more information on the topics of resolutions coming in tomorrow’s Congress session.
A declaration on the representation of disabled people in politics was also presented. ALDE Party Bureau Member Baroness Sal Brinton spoke about the existence of both invisible and visible disabilities and how this declaration ensures that each member reflects on these social barriers and pushes forward with inclusivity.
After seven years of leadership spanning three terms, the Council meeting said goodbye to Vice-President Baroness Brinton.
“I am leaving at a time where liberals have been through an enormous amount. But I am determined by what we are seeing in Hungary and other countries that change is coming and that liberal parties will be at the heart of it,” she said.
It was announced that the next ALDE Party Council Meeting will take place in Dublin, Ireland in on 13-14 November 2026, with a special 50th anniversary twist featuring engaging events and opportunities. This will be after the European Council and we will be hosted by Fianna Fáil and Taoiseach Micheál Martin.