Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit
News
-
Liberal International has lost its steward
Robert Woodthorpe Browne died after a brief illness at the age of 79. More than anyone else, he represented the global spirit of British cosmopolitanism and liberalism. His liberal spirit was closely connected with his cosmopolitan outlook. By passion and conviction, he was a global Liberal; in Britain, he joined the Libdems in 1960. He helped to run the London office of Liberal International at the residence of the Liberal Club in London’ Whitehall Place – giving as much as possible support to the professional staff at any time of the day, week, month or year. He was the steward in the back. He worked hard to make liberalism operate efficiently and smoothly – and, of course, with a worldwide scope. A great Liberal has gone. We will never forget him.
-
France's New Security Strategy: More Leadership in the EU?
NATO foreign ministers are meeting in Bucharest today to discuss further action in the Ukraine war. The Atlantic Alliance expects further Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy supplies in the coming days and weeks. French President Emmanuel Macron, in presenting the new national security strategy, also ultimately prepared the French people for the possibility of a war into which France could be drawn. The country does not need to make a U-turn with its strategic military culture, as Germany has done with the "Zeitenwende" in its foreign and security policy.
-
Europe and Greece: a common destiny
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom's opinion poll on "EUROPE" shows that Greece's future is linked to its common European destiny. Greece's integration into the European community symbolized - and indeed was - a means to progress: securing national integrity after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus (1974), stability in Greek politics after decades of turbulent history, ending economic backwardness, and rapprochement with other European societies and their high standard of living. Until the 2010s, being pro-European and supporting the Union was almost a given, as Europe was both an ideal and a social prerogative in the eyes of Greeks.
-
The Reforming of Netanyahu’s Israel
The Israeli public voted on November 1, for the fifth time in three years for two alternative governments. This time, Netanyahu’s bloc managed to get 64 out of the Knesset’s 120 seats, finally gaining the majority he needed to form a government. Now with a clear majority for his camp, Netanyahu was given the complicated task of forming a government. In the last few months, it became quite clear that these elections will be decided by which bloc has a higher voter turnout, and if they manage to save the smaller parties from disappearing, and thus wasting votes
-
Sunak to focus on economic stability and Tory unity, impact on India-UK ties minimal
Rishi Sunak is the third Tory Prime Minister in 2022. The political turmoil within the Conservative Party, the disastrous performance of Liz Truss and the general economic difficulties offered Sunak an opportunity. In his first speech as Prime Minister, Sunak highlighted that the country was facing a profound economic crisis. He asserted that through integrity, professionalism and accountability, he will provide stability and rectify the mistakes of his predecessor. Apart from tough economic leadership, his real challenge is political. As a leader, he has to unite a strongly divided party.
-
Too much influence for the extreme right
Sweden is experiencing a dramatic change of government. For the first time in the history of the Scandinavian country, a minority government of conservatives, Christian Democrats and one of the two liberal parties is supported in parliament by the far-right Sweden Democrats. A power shift that catapults the far-right into the center of power. While parts of the Swedish Liberals remain skeptical of government participation, the new government under Ulf Kristersson begins work.
-
The Foundation for Freedom in Germany and the World
Based on the principles of liberalism, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom offers political education in Germany and abroad. Our headquarter is located in Potsdam, and we maintain offices throughout Germany and in over 60 countries around the world.
With our events and publications, we help people to become actively involved in political affairs. We support talented young students with scholarships.
-
Resource Dependency from China: A Possible Way Out for Europe
After months of crisis experience with Russia’s manoeuvring in energy policy, Europe has learned the hard way: it is not advisable to rely majorly on one single partner when it comes to essential resources. This applies especially when the trust relationship with that partner has already been burdened by tensions and scepticism from the beginning. Now Europe is struggling desperately with the effects of the Russian attack on Ukraine and its economic consequences. There can only be one conclusion: Don’t rely on one partner only!
-
Resilience or a need to catch up?
Crisis-tested Spain is coming through the current crisis relatively unscathed: While the growth forecast for the current year is still 4.1%, only 2.2% is predicted for 2023. At first glance, this puts the economy in a better position than Germany, where a recession can now be considered a certainty. The reasons for the decline in growth prospects in Spain are also the rampant uncertainty, high inflation rates and a drop in exports. But serious differences can also be seen in the inflation rate. Why is Spain coming through the crisis better than Germany?
-
Freedom award for slovakian president Zuzana Čaputová
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom awards the Freedom Prize to Slovakian President Zuzana Čaputová for her commitment to liberal democracy. As president, Zuzana Čaputová stands in the tradition of Central and Eastern European civil rights activists who successfully promote liberal democracy both in opposition and in government. The prize will be awarded on November 5th, 2022, in Frankfurt's Paulskirche.
-
New office and hub of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Nairobi
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation will have a strong presence to promote democracy, human rights, entrepreneurship and free trade in Kenya. At the opening of our new office in Nairobi, our chairman Prof Paqué states: Kenya and the whole of Africa have the chance to take a big economic step forward. The liberal family will support them on the ground. Read the speech in full here.
-
Italy has voted - right-wing alliance achieves clear majority
The radical right achieves a historic victory in Italy. The far-right Fratelli d'Italia party becomes the strongest force by far and is thus likely to lead the future government. What are the consequences of the right-wing alliance's election victory for the country and the EU? An analysis by our expert David Henneberger.
-
Italy's entanglements with Russia and the parties' energy programs
Russia and Italy have been more closely linked since the 1960s than many realize. Italy was home to the largest communist party this side of the Iron Curtain in Europe, and its business community concluded one lucrative industrial and energy treaty after another with Russia - at the behest not least of Italy's conservative Christian Democrats.
-
Human Rights Defenders 2022
Human rights lawyers will always be at the forefront of the struggle for fundamental and human rights under the rule of law. Lawyers are the most important profession for denouncing human rights violations and defending human rights. This makes it all the more important to consider them as human rights defenders and to support them in their work against governments that are hostile to freedom and have contempt for human rights. In interviews, Human Rights Defenders report on their work and their courageous fight against governments that are hostile to freedom and despise human rights. With a foreword by Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger and an outlook by Gerhart Baum.
-
Meloni's march towards Rome - Italy threatened with a shift to the right
For the first time, a woman has the chance to become Italy's prime minister. Giorgia Meloni is female, modern and - ultra-right. She has managed to transform her party, the "Fratelli d’Italia (FdI)” (Brothers of Italy), from a fringe party to the strongest political force that also finds acceptance in the bourgeois camp. How could this happen? An attempt to explain the Meloni phenomenon.
