Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit
News
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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.
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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.
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Ukraine's food industry: a lifeline under pressure
The Ukrainian economy is suffering heavily under Russia’s war of aggression. So far, one can only make assumptions about the full extent of the economic damages. The same goes for the material losses of Ukrainian businesses. However, an initial assessment has now been made possible via a survey conducted by the European Business Association.
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Von der Leyen’s State of the Union Address – Many nice headlines and few propositions
In her third State of the Union address, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen took stock of the European Commission's work programme and recalled the EU's spirit of unity and solidarity in times of war. As expected, von der Leyen placed a strong focus on dealing with Russia and Ukraine. Another important policy area concerns the future of economic governance in the EU. However, expectations for more efficiency, capacity to act and clout of the European multi-level architecture are high, driven by the proposals of the Conference on the Future of Europe. Whether the EU takes its democratic model seriously will be seen in the future.
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First Lieutenant Yulia Mykytenko: “Men no longer refuse to serve under my command because I am a woman”
Yulia Mykytenko joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine on a contract in 2016 together with her husband. After doing the “work for women” at the headquarters, she entered The Hetman Petro Sahaidachny National Army Academy, returning to the front as a combat officer. After the death of her husband in February 2018, Yulia went to work at the Kyiv Military Lyceum. In the special project "The Unbreakable", Mykytenko talks about how the Ukrainian army changed and how important it is to be in your own place.
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A gentleman with persuasive power
Last Saturday, Dr Christian Taaks passed away at the age of 61. Since 2018, he had been working for the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom as project director in Korea. Whether it was the North Korea conflict or the Corona pandemic, Dr Taaks also analysed the political situation in Korea in numerous German media, including the tabloids. He explained patiently, factually and convincingly, with a liberal view. We mourn him and will not forget him.
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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.
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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.
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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. 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.
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Election in Italy: The clock is ticking inexorably
Italy's general election will be held on Sept. 25. The short, two-month election campaign so far has focused on inflation, rising living and energy costs, the Ukraine war and migration. Italy's right-wing bloc, led by the far-right Fratelli d'Italia in coalition with the Lega and Forza Italia, has good prospects of achieving an absolute majority in both chambers, analyzes Rahel Zibner, Project Manager for Italy.
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Serbia: Gays and lesbians “temporarily” declared personae non-gratae
Europride begins today in Serbia. Although thousands of protesters have once again taken to the streets in Belgrade against the large-scale event and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić had previously announced the cancellation of the Pride event, the international pressure was too great. In the conservative world view of the Serbian president, same-sex partnerships and alternative life plans have no place. LGBTIQ activist Stefan Šparavalo talks about equal rights and social participation in Europe.
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Hacked - The crippling liberal facade of Mitsotakis
The wiretapping scandal has caused considerable problems for the Greek government and inevitably damaged the public image of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at national and international level. There is no doubt that a shadow of doubt and uncertainty hovers over Greek society. Many experts and political analysts are concerned about the state of democratic institutions and freedom of expression in the country. As a result, Mitsotakis is losing not only his liberal and progressive façade, but also his voters, as the latest polls show.
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Nailbiter continues for Peace Prize of the German Book Trade winner Tsitsi Dangarembga
Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger has traveled to Harare, Zimbabwe, for the announced sentencing of Tsitsi Dangarembga. But the attrition tactics against the critic continue: the date for the pronouncement of the verdict has been postponed to September 29. Dangarembga is a peaceful critic of Zimbabwe's autocratic repressive system. She was sentenced because of a poster calling for reforms. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation has been observing the trial on the ground since it opened some two and a half years ago.
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Spain is making progress in the fight against violence against women
Women's rights and violence against women have gained a lot of attention in Spain for years. With each new case of gender-based violence that comes to light, an outcry goes up across society in Spain, driving thousands to protest in the streets chanting the phrase "Ni Una Más" - "not one more". “Violencia de Genero" - gender-based violence and gender justice is given a lot of space and airtime in the media and on TV in Spain. It is a topic on the evening news as well as on the Spanish Netflix hit "Alba".
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Annalena Baerbock – The new "Iron Lady" of the Mediterranean?
In view of the aggressive statements from Athens and Ankara, Baerbock should act as a targeted mediator during her visit to Greece. While she clearly sided with Greece in the Turkish-Greek conflict, this stance also leaves room for questions: If both Greece and Turkey are one of the most important partners in Europe, where does Baerbock draw the line?
