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The liberal parties considerably strengthened their influence at the European Parliament election which took place at the week-end. It is expected that the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (the ALDE Group) which is largely based on the European Liberal Democrats party (ELDR) will get 84 seats in the new Parliament.
Maintaining their absolute number of seats in the new European Parliament (75 seats) ELDR has increased its share as of the other parties, as the total of seats in the new parliament will shrink from 785 to 736. Given the Christian Democrats' and Socialists' losses (who, according to the preliminary results, lost 12 and 40 mandates respectively as of 2004 election) more than ever it will be Liberals who will play a pivotal role in the European Parliament, influencing the European agenda in the upcoming five years.
Commenting on the results of the election, Annemie Neyts, ELDR Party President and newly re-elected MEP stated, “The losses suffered by the two largest parties were mostly due to gains made by far right, nationalist movements, which reinforces the strong performance of liberal parties. The regrettable representation of far-right, populists’ parties won't be able to respond to the most pressing challenging of today's economic crisis and its consequences. Neither protectionism nor nationalisation will help to overcome this crisis”.
Sergei Mitrokhin, Chair of the YABLOKO party commenting on the results of the European election said, “We are glad to see the success of the European liberal parties at the election. The YABLOKO party has been member of the European Liberal Democrats party since 2006. We have been consistently working on the increase of representation of women in the governments, and a special Gender faction has been actively working in our party. Therefore I would like to specially focus attention on the European experience: almost half of MEPs in the new parliament will be women!”
Grigory Yavlinsky, first chair of the YABLOKO party and the winner of the International Prize for Freedom of the Liberal International said, “The results of this election provide us good grounds to think that the new European Parliament with a strong influence of democrats and reformers will implement more far-sighted and principled policies, when the values of human life and human rights – the prime values for humanitarian politicians all over the world – will play an even greater role. Shortly it will become obvious that populism and social demagogism, that have helped today to the far-right and nationalists to receive additional votes at the election to the European Parliament, are unable to meet the urgent challenges Europe and the whole world have to face today. It has already become obvious that real problems can not be solved by means of creating authoritative political systems, “verticals” of power and reduction of economic and political freedoms. On the opposite, truly free citizens certain of their civil, political, social and economic rights can ensure flourishing of their countries and nations in the 21st century. That’s what we have been fighting for in Russia and it is these values that are pivotal for true liberals and democrats all over the world.”
See also:
YABLOKO as a member of Liberal International
Liberals and Democrats confirmed in kingmaker role in new Parliament.
Press Release, June 9, 2009
The International Prize for Freedom has been awarded to Grigory Yavlinsky. Press release, October 16, 2004
The Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO to join Liberal International. Press Release, March 04, 2002 | 