Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
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The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (French: Alliance des Démocrates et des Libéraux pour l'Europe, Dutch: Alliantie van Liberalen en Democraten voor Europa) is a Group in the European Parliament. It is composed of members from the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party, European Democratic Party and assorted independents. Both European political parties continue to exist. The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe is also a political group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
European Liberal Democrat and Reform (ELDR) party
The European Liberal Democrat and Reform (ELDR) party brings together political parties with common liberal, democratic and reform ideals from more than 30 European countries. The ELDR party is an international non-profit association (aisbl) which has its seat in Brussels (Belgium).
The role of the ELDR party is to: strengthen the Liberal Democrat movement in the EU and throughout Europe
assist Liberal Democrat politicians across Europe to become better acquainted and to define a common political vision
draw up and adopt a common manifesto for the European Parliament elections.
The European Liberal Democrats were the first to create a European political family in 1976 in view of the first European elections and established ELDR as a true European political party in 1993.
Representing millions of European voters, the ELDR party provides an increasingly vital link between citizens and the EU institutions and is continuously growing in size and significance.
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The founding Group meeting of ALDE-ADLE, which immediately followed the ELDR meeting, elected Graham Watson MEP of the British Liberal Democrats as Group Leader. It also adopted a 10-point 'Program for Europe'.
Program
- Promoting peace, through a Union in the federal tradition
- Making the EU a global player bridging the gap between its economic and political dimension
- Opening up & democratising the European Union
- Guaranteeing the fundamental rights of all European citizens
- Promoting education at all levels.
- Strengthening economic governance after the introduction of the Euro.
- Rooting out fraud and unnecessary bureaucracy
- Making Europe the world leader in environmental protection.
- Making globalisation work for everyone.
- Ensuring a full recognition and enhancement of the role of Europe’s regions
Group Members
ALDE in PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe)
The rapid expansion of the Council of Europe has brought new responsibilities for the political groups. Between 1990 and 1995 alone, the Council of Europe was enlarged to include Albania, Andorra, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Additional delegations with special guest status regularly take part in the sessions in Strasbourg.
The political groups have shown that they have the potential to play an effective introductory role, especially with regard to parliamentarians from the new states as well as for those with guest status. While the Council of Europe currently comprises 46 member states, the policy of the Assembly, with its 630 members (315 representatives and an equal number of substitutes) is formulated principally in conjunction with the five political groups: Socialist Group (206 members), Federation of Christian Democrat Parties of Europe (EPP) (182 members), Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) (98 members), European Democrat Group (EDG) (78 members) and the Group of the Unified European Left (UEL) (32 members).
The rules of Procedure have also taken account of the growing importance of the political groups. The Ad Hoc Committee of chairmen of Political Groups which assists the President of the Assembly in reaching decisions was created in March 1993. Since January 1995 the Group Chairs have had the right to sit and vote in the Bureau and the Standing Committee of the Assembly.
The earliest minutes of Liberal Group meetings in the archives date from 1974. At that time Frederik Portheine (Netherlands) was leader of the Group which comprised 30 members, no more than 13 of whom attended the meetings. It was customary for Liberal Group members to hold only one meeting during the week of the Strasbourg part-session. In those days the Bureau was composed of the Chairman and the Secretary General. In August 1978 a secretary was appointed who today is still responsible for dealing with administrative matters. In autumn 1980, Manfred Vohrer (Germany) was elected to succeed Frederik Portheine. Having acted as Secretary General of the Group since becoming a member of the Council of Europe in 1973, he was well qualified to take over the post of Chair. In 1983 Manfred Vohrer decided not to stand for re-election and left the German Bundestag. Bjorn Elmqvist (Denmark) was elected by the Group to succeed him. Under Bjorn Elmquist's chairmanship, membership increased significantly in the space of a few years, rising from 35 to 50 members. At the end of 1990 Bjorn Elmquist lost his seat in the Folketing. In May 1991 the Group elected Daniel Tarschys (Sweden) as its new Chair. A leading expert on east European questions, the high esteem in which he was held both within the Assembly and by central and east Europeans led to a further increase in Group membership. Since his election as Secretary General of the Council of Europe on 12 April 1994, the Group has been led by Sir Russell Johnston (United Kingdom). In 1999 Lord Russell-Johnston was elected President of the Parliamentary Assembly (1999-2002). The Group supported Kristiina Ojuland (Estonia) to preside the LDR Group. In 2002 she was appointed Foreign Minister in her country. The same year Matyas Eörsi(Hungary) gained support of the group members to become its seventh President.
Until the mid-1980s the Group's official name was “Liberal Group”. As the word “liberal” does not have the same connotations in all languages, the new Group members in particular called for additions to the name which would make the Group's political ideals universally and unequivocally recognizable. After lengthy discussion, it was finally agreed that the Group should be called the “Liberal, Democratic and Reformers' Group’” (LDR). The “Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe” (ALDE) emerged on June 20, 2005 to become full legal successor of the LDR-Group. This title makes it clear that the Group's members are not only convinced democrats devoted to liberal values but they are committed to creating better cooperation between european liberals to build stronger Europe respective of human rights in all its member states. Technological progress maintains society in constant flux so that individuals' attitudes to society are also changing.
As some Countries of Central and Eastern Europe still have a tedious way to go towards democracy, the ALDE Group is proud that its members may play key roles in political institutions of these States, contributing to implementation of the important values of the Council of Europe. In October 2005, Serhiy Holovaty, Vice-President of the ALDE, was appointed Minister of Justice in Ukraine. The country is now facing crucial period of its independence. As we all hope that democratic values will win in Ukraine, we believe that appointment of dedicated liberals to key positions may contribute to further transformation and democratization in our member states.
As the third largest Group, the Liberals have a major voice in the appointment of the President of the Assembly and the Secretary General. Originally the Presidency rotated every three years: a Socialist was followed by a Christian-Democrat who in turn was followed by a Liberal. Under this system there have been three Liberal Presidents, each separated by a period of six years:
1960 - 1963 Per Federspiel Denmark
1969 - 1972 Olivier Reverdin Switzerland
1978 - 1981 Hans J. de Koster Netherlands
Following the appointment of a member of the conservative European Democratic Group, rather than a Socialist, to succeed Hans J. de Koster, the Presidency now rotates between four political groups on the basis of an agreement drawn up and signed in spring 1986 by the Socialists, the Christian-Democrats and the conservative European Democrats and joined to in 1994 by the LDR Group. The agreement provides for a rotation system whereby the President continues to be chosen from the larger groups (Socialists and Christian Democrats) at six year intervals and from the smaller groups (LDR and European Democrats) at 15 year intervals. Under this agreement, a Liberal president Lord Russell-Johnston, United Kingdom, (1999 - 2002) led the Assembly into the new millennium.
The most notable success in the history of the group has undoubtedly been the election in 1994 on the first ballot, by a very slim majority, of Daniel Tarschys to a five-year term of office as Secretary General of the Council of Europe. This was achieved thank to an agreement passed between LDR and PPE and EDG. It is becoming increasingly difficult for candidates from the smaller groups to win against candidates from the larger parties. In 2004 Kristiina Ojuland, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia at the moment, tried to run for Secretary General against candidates from the two largest political groups, Socialists and EPP. As she did not assure for herself strong support of allies, her mission did not succeed.
Although the ALDE is mainly composed of inveterate individualists, its work demonstrates that these individualists stand together and are capable of fighting for a common goal. They are especially strong and unyielding when it comes to defending democratic freedom and respect for human rights.
Members of the ALDE (PACE) Group
| Albania | Mr DULE, Vangjel |
| Andorra | Mr FARRE SANTURE, Joan Albert Mrs GARCIA PASTOR, Eva |
| Armenia | Mr ARSENYAN, Gourgen Mr KOCHARYAN, Shavarsh Mr MARGARYAN, Grigory Mrs NAGHDALYAN, Hermine |
| Azerbaijan | Mr HUSEYNOV, Rafael Mr KERIMLI, Azer Mr MOLLAZADE, Azim Mr VAKILOV, Vagif |
| Belgium | Mrs DEFRAIGNE, Christine Mr GORIS, Stef Mr MONFILS, Philippe Mr VERSNICK, Geert Mr WILLE, Paul |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Mrs HADZIAHMETOVIC, Azra |
| Bulgaria | Mrs ATANASOVA, Anelya Mrs ILYAZ, Fatme Mr IVANOV, Lachezar Mr LOUTFI, Younal Mrs STANTCHEVA, Darinka |
| Croatia | Mr BANAC, Ivo Mr DORIC, Miljenko |
| Cyprus | Mrs PERICLEOUS PAPADOPOULOS, Antigoni |
| Czech Republic | Mr JARAB, Josef |
| Denmark | Mr MADSEN, Jens Hald Mr OSTERGAARD, Morten Mrs SEVERINSEN, Hanne |
| Estonia | Mr IVANOV, Sergei |
| Finland | Mrs ANTTILA, Sirkka-Liisa Mr KAIKKONEN, Antti Mr LAUKKANEN, Markku |
| France | Mr BADRE, Denis Mr GOULET, Daniel Mr ROCHEBLOINE, François Mr SALLES, Rudy |
| Georgia | Mr ARVELADZE, Giorgi Mr BERDZENISHVILI, Levan Mr BOKERIA, Giga Mrs KALANDAZDE, Nino Mrs KURDADZE, Irine Mrs NADIRADZE, Maia Mrs NAKASHIDZE, Nino Mrs TEVDORADZE, Elene |
| Germany | Mr LEIBRECHT, Harald Mrs LEUTHEUSSER-SCHNARRENBERGER, Sabine |
| Hungary | Mr EÖRSI, Matyas Mr SZALAY, Gabor |
| Iceland | Mrs FRIDLEIFSDOTTIR, Siv Mr JONSSON, Birkir Jon |
| Ireland | Mr DALY, Brendan Mr DAVERN, Noel Mrs ORMONDE, Ann Mr WRIGHT, G.V. |
| Italy | Mr DANIELI, Franco Mr PISCITELLO, Rino Mr PROVERA, Fiorello |
| Latvia | Mr BERZINS, Andris |
| Lithuania | Mr BUCEVUCIUS, Saulius Mr CEKUOLIS, Jonas Mr JAKAVONIS, Gediminas Mr MIKUTIENE, Dangute |
| Luxembourg | Mrs BRASSEUR, Anne Mr GOERENS, Charles |
| Macedonia | Mr KRSTEVSKI, Zoran Mr ZERNOVSKI, Andrej |
| Moldova | Mr BRAGHIS, Dumitru |
| Netherlands | Mr DEES, Dirk Mrs NIJS, Annette Mrs VEENENDAAL, Jelleke |
| Norway | Mrs OVERAAS, Eli Sollied |
| Romania | Mr FENECHIU, Relu Mr MEREUTA, Mircea Mr MIUTESCU, Gheroghe Adrian Mr VOSGANIAN, Varujan |
| San Marino | Mr MASI, Tito |
| Slovakia | Mrs BRESTENSKA, Beata |
| Slovenia | Mrs LAVTIZAR-BEBLER, Darja |
| Spain | Mr GASOLIBA, Carles Mr MENDOZA, José Mr TXUEKA, Inaki |
| Sweden | Mrs BARGHOLTZ, Helena Mr ERTSBORN, Jan |
| Switzerland | Mr DUPRAZ, John Mr KAUFMANN, Hans Mr MARTY, Dick Mr RANDEGGER, Johannes Mr REIMANN, Maximillan Mr SCHMIED, Walter Mr STAMM, Luzi |
| Ukraine | Mr HLADIY, Mykhailo Mr KLYMPUSH, Orest |
| United Kingdom | Mr HANCOCK, Michael Mr HARVEY, Nick Mr RUSSELL-JOHNSTON, Lord Mrs WILLOTT, Jenny |
External links
- [Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe]
- [Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in PACE]
- [European Liberal Democrat and Reform (ELDR) Party]
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