Issue n°44 - 9 December 2020

- Issue n°44 - 9 December 2020

09/12/2020

USR-PLUS becomes third largest force in Romania

Despite the low turnout in last week’s Romanian parliamentary elections, the Alianta USRPLUS became the third largest force securing at around 15% of the vote. This result means that it could play a vital, kingmaker role during the coalition talks for the new government. ALDE President Hans van Baalen has congratulated the Alianta USRPLUS and its leaders Dan Barna (USR) and Dacian Cioloș (PLUS).

09/12/2020

ALDE President: liberal family open to strong political partnership with US Democrats

ALDE Party President Hans van Baalen took part in a panel debate co-organised by the UK Liberal Democrats Overseas and the British Group of Liberal International (LIBG) on 7 December on the results of the US Presidential Elections. During the event, President van Baalen said the incoming US President Joe Biden has to become the President of all US citizens and unite the United States.

08/12/2020

Vice-President Jourová launches the European Democracy Action Plan

On 3 December, European Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová unveiled one of the major and most awaited initiatives of 2020, the European Democracy Action Plan. This initiative aims to tackle problems of election interference, disinformation and online political advertising while strengthening the European media ecosystem.

03/12/2020

ALDE President commemorates Valéry Giscard d'Estaing

ALDE Party President Hans van Baalen has issued a short statement to honour the former French President and the leader of the liberal group ELDR (1989-1991) in the European Parliament, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, who passed away last week

07/12/2020

Margrethe Vestager receives Marion Dönhoff Prize 2020

On 6 December, European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager was awarded the Marion Dönhoff Prize for international understanding and reconciliation. In her speech, Vestager highlighted the legacy of Marion Dönhoff, noting how the fight for freedom is still not over.

26/11/2020

Rule of law must be upheld, even in times of crisis

In this interview with European Commissioner Didier Reynders, published originally in the ALDE Party Liberal Bulletin in November, we hear his insights on Europe’s determination to protect democracy in this challenging time, including what all of us can do to uphold rule of law in our daily lives.

07/12/2020

Meet our Leaders series takes readers across Europe

Since May this year, the ALDE Party Secretariat has been virtually meeting with liberal party leaders across Europe to hear what the key priorities for their parties are, how they cope with the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, how they see European cooperation, and more. Have a look at all monthly episodes published in the series to-date – we will continue to interview more leaders in 2021!

03/12/2020

Yabloko hosts international conference on protecting women’s rights

On 24 November, the Gender Faction of Yabloko, ALDE member party in Russia, hosted an international online conference with a focus on protecting women’s rights during COVID-19 lockdowns, drawing from experiences across country borders.

09/12/2020

‘The pandemic gives us a chance to practice politics differently’

Technologies can help us find new solutions, improve public services, and increase the participation of citizens in new ways to improve local democracy. The Renew Europe Group in the European Committee of the Regions talked with Rait Pihelgas whose report “Strengthening local governance and representative democracy via new digital technology instruments” has just been approved by the European Committee of the Regions.

13/10/2020

US elections: Liberal Coffee Hour focuses on what happens next

On 3 December, the ALDE Party together with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation hosted a virtual Liberal Coffee Hour on the outcome of the 2020 US election. With a panel consisting of ALDE Party Vice-President Daniel Berg and András Simonyi, former Hungarian ambassador to the US and NATO, the discussion centred on what has happened since the election day and what will happen next.

From Our Members of the European Parliament

03/12/2020

Europol needs stronger muscles to tackle organised crimes and terrorism

Renew Europe has called for a more powerful Europol to fight serious organised crime and terrorism, which does not respect internal EU borders. Security is a common challenge for all EU Member States and to meet this challenge, Renew Europe has adopted a detailed group position paper.

06/12/2020

A 2021 budget awaiting the unblocking of the MFF

The European Parliament and the European Council found a common understanding on the 2021 Budget on 4 December and agreed to postpone its adoption, pending the lifting of the blockade of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 by Poland and Hungary.

06/12/2020

Renew Europe welcomes the adoption of the EU ‘Magnitsky Act’

The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament welcomes the adoption of a global human rights sanctions regime on 7 December but regrets that corruption is not amongst the punishable violations.

Upcoming events:

10 December: Renew Europe Pre-Summit
10 December: Renew Europe - Safeguarding human rights for indigenous peoples
10 December: ELF - On the Agenda: Rule of Law at what cost?
12 December: MRF Congress
20 December: Bosnia and Herzegovina local elections in Mostar
24 January: Portugal presidential elections
19-21 March: LibDems Spring Conference

Upcoming events:

To view all upcoming events, please visit here

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