Europe
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Europe (FNF Europe) operates offices in Brussels, Prague, Vilnius, and Geneva.
By connecting EU experts, civil society, and decision-makers, we aim to foster open dialogue and explore liberal policy solutions to European challenges. In collaboration with our liberal partners, we create engaging formats and campaigns to promote fundamental rights, the rule of law, geopolitics, and geoeconomics. Additionally, we coordinate EU co-funded projects in areas such as the internal market, digitalization, and innovation.
News
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Perspectives for Europe 2050
What will a liberal Europe look like in 2050? How can we shape our continent’s future to reflect the values of freedom, democracy, and prosperity?
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What liberals should do to counter the rise of the radical right
How can liberals effectively counter the rising tide of the radical right in Europe? In this thought-provoking interview, political commentator Mark Thiessen explores bold strategies, communication pitfalls, and the urgent need to defend liberal democracy without losing its core values.
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The Spanish-German Axis: A Strategic Driver of the EU-Mercosur Agreement
The EU-Mercosur free trade agreement is putting a strain on the traditional Franco-German axis, revealing disagreements between the two powerhouses. France, heavily influenced by its powerful agricultural sector, remains opposed. Germany, however, is actively pushing for the agreement's ratification. In this scenario, Berlin seems to have found a new strategic ally in Europe: Spain.
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Dutch government collapse - a train crash in slow motion
Less than a year after its formation, the Dutch government collapsed on Tuesday after far-right party leader Geert Wilders withdrew his party PVV and all of his ministers from the ruling coalition. The withdrawal leaves the government without a majority, leading Prime Minister Dick Schoof to step down and resign his entire cabinet. The Netherlands can now prepare for new elections.
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How Brexit has caused a renaissance of European Liberalism
How can two separated partners find to one another after a break-up? How much time do they need? Where do they start? And might external factors accelerate the process of regaining trust? When looking at EU-UK relations in the post-Brexit era, there seemed to be only little prospect for actual reconciliation. Then, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the election of President Trump in the United States, and the related geopolitical shifts followed and pushed the EU and the UK closer together again. The results of the recent EU-UK summit in London offers a glimpse of hope. But more than five years after the UK left the bloc, is a glimpse of hope enough for Europe? How does this development affect for Germany? And most of all: Can it be seen as a reset of European liberalism?
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Coalition Momentum: A New Era for Liberals in Local Italian Politics
Italy held the first round of its local elections at the end of May, followed by the second round on June 8–9 across numerous municipalities in 14 of the country’s 20 ordinary-statute regions. The second round coincided with five national referendums on labor law and citizenship reforms, creating a politically charged weekend with both local and national implications.
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Budapest Pride Ban: Hungary's Escalating Crackdown on Civil Rights
Ahead of its 30th anniversary in 2025, Budapest Pride faces an unprecedented ban. Under the guise of “child protection,” Hungary’s government is restricting freedom of assembly and expression. This marks a deepening of democratic backsliding and sets a dangerous precedent for civil liberties across the European Union which immediately caused great concern amongst German and other European Liberals and LGBTQ+ advocates.
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40 Years of the Schengen Treaty: Europe's Quiet Revolution and Germany's Strategic Lifeline
40 years ago, the Schengen Agreement was signed by Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. A review by Jules Maaten.
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Europe is the only defender of the liberal world order
Ralf Dahrendorf, one of the central figures of modern-day liberalism, saw politics as a framework for imperfect people to live in freedom. Just a few months into the second Trump presidency, this notion may seem more challenging—but also more essential—than ever. The American role as leader of the free world has in many ways expired. Europe must urgently take on and secure new responsibility if it wants to fight for the liberal world order. To answer how, the American foreign policy expert and author Dr Robert Kagan was invited to present this year’s Dahrendorf Lecture at St. Antony’s College in Oxford.
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EU’s Risky Business:
Chinese electric vehicles are entering the EU at record speed – affordable, appealing, and state-subsidised. But behind the sleek designs lies a web of economic, ethical, and security risks that threaten Europe's industry, data protection, and core values.
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Portugal’s Power Shift: Right Bloc Ends Bipartisan Era
On May 18, Portugal held legislative elections for a new Parliament. The center-right coalition Democratic Alliance emerged as the winner, though it fell short of securing an outright majority. One of the most striking developments was the rise of the far-right party Chega that secured the same seats as the Socialist Party. The Portuguese liberal party, Iniciativa Liberal, reinforced its position as the fourth-largest political force.
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Poland Faces Another Election: Will the Country Stay on the Path of Liberal Reforms?
Almost two years after the change of power in parliament, Poles are now electing a new head of state. The presidential election will not only decide the political balance in the country, but could also decisively shape - or block - the reform course of Donald Tusk's government. Which direction will Poland take this time?
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Mobilising Markets for the Future:
Europe is falling short in turning private savings into productive investment just when it needs it most to drive the green and digital transitions and boost long-term competitiveness. While regulation has been central to the EU’s sustainability agenda, it has not yet created an environment that effectively channels capital into future-oriented sectors. Instruments such as the EU Taxonomy and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive have helped raise standards for transparency and accountability, but they have also created a huge amount of administrative burdens, especially for small and medium sized companies. To remain competitive and achieve its climate goals, Europe must achieve a better balance between necessary regulation and a framework that actively supports investment.
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EU plans to be an independent defence actor by 2030
The EU Commission presented the ‘White Paper on Defence - Readiness 2030’. The aim is for Europe to be ready for war in five years' time, as Russia could have renewed its offensive power by then.
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Portugal: A Ballot-Proof Democracy?
Portugal's democracy faces new challenges after nine elections since 2020. With snap legislative elections in May, regional elections in Madeira, and local elections later in the year, the political calendar is packed. Amid this turbulence, the Portuguese liberal party, Iniciativa Liberal (IL) is gaining ground as a reform-driven force, promoting stability and economic growth. Can IL's rise prove Portugal's democracy is truly ballot-proof?
Social Media
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📝 Submit a short proposal (max 1,000 characters) by 15 July 2025. Selected essays will: ✅ Win €1,000 ✅ Be published in a Europe-wide collection ✅ Be brought to life by visual artists 🌐 Open to all – from across Europe and beyond. Proposals can be submitted in English or German. Whether you’re an expert or just passionate about freedom and democracy, share your vision with us. ❗ No full essays yet – just your proposal. 👉 Learn more and submit via link in comments #Europe2050 #ProjectEurope2050 #FNF #LiberalEurope #FutureOfEurope #EssayCompetition
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🌟 40 Jahre Schengen: Europas leise Revolution 🇪🇺 Am 14. Juni 1985 begann mit dem Schengen-Vertrag ein neues Kapitel: Ein Europa ohne Binnengrenzen. Heute ist Schengen ein Symbol für Freiheit, Handel und Zusammenhalt – und ein strategischer Anker für Deutschland und Europa. 📖 Artikel von Jules Maaten ➡️ https://www.freiheit.org/europe/40-years-schengen-treaty-europes-quiet-revolution-and-germanys-strategic-lifeline 💬 Interview mit MEP Jan-Christoph Oetjen ➡️ https://www.freiheit.org/de/40-jahre-schengen-bilanz-und-bedeutung
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🛡️ Security for Freedom Why liberal democracies must act NOW. ⚠️ Freedom, human rights & the rule of law are under threat. In a time of global instability, we need to act — not react. 🎥 In this video: 🔹 Europe's security challenges 🔹 How to counter authoritarian regimes 🔹 Why security is key to freedom 🔹 What it takes to defend democracy in the 21st century 🙌 Featuring insights from: Delphine Pronk (European External Action Service - EEAS) Alice Stollmeyer (Defend Democracy) Maria Martisiute (European Policy Centre) Laura Tatarelyte (@FNF Baltic States) 📣 Because hope is not a strategy. Let’s build a future rooted in freedom, security & democracy.
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