Spain, Italy, Portugal :
The Madrid office seeks to strengthen cooperation and political dialogue between representatives from liberal political parties, scientific institutions and civil society organisations from Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany and the European sphere. We are committed to help contribute to solutions for specific regional challenges in Southern Europe and highlight best practices from this ever more important region for the European integration
process.
News
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Carlos Garzarán
The War in Ukraine and Food (In-)Security in Africa
In late November, IPDAL, the leading Portugese foreign policy think tank, FNF Madrid and the Universidade Europeia organized the 3rd Africa XXI conference in Lisbon. The interventions of relevant international organisations, the Portuguese government, foundations, think tanks and private sector leaders, allowed for an in-depth debate about the main issues facing the continent at the moment, particularly in the area of food insecurity as a result of the invasion of Ukraine.
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Begoña Villacís
Towards a new multiparty system
"We have undertaken a process of refoundation that draws on the successful experiences of numerous European liberal parties, such as the FDP. From a process of listening to the militants and positions and to the Spanish society, we will do everything in our power to revitalize an existing space, that of reformist liberalism. Multipartyism and political pluralism in our country are here to stay, regardless of whoever it may concern." In this article, Begoña Villacís, Deputy Mayor of Madrid (Ciudadanos) analyzes the evolution of the multiparty system in the Spanish political sphere and the essential reformist liberalism to achieve a more modern and prosperous Spain, with a thriving middle class that participates in public life.
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Victoria Campbell-Gillies
Reflections on democracy
If Woke Liberalism aims to create change, where is the movement going a little too extreme? How can we point out what works and what doesn't work so that Liberalism and its clear purpose can be more effective? Victoria Campbell-Gillies brings to light the importance of liberal democracy in a time when extremism is on the rise.
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Raquel Bañón
Are we really a diverse society?
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation brought together leading experts and opinion leaders to discuss diversity and released its publication, Are We Really a Diverse Society? The publication gathers reflections on the complex, misunderstood and overused concept of diversity and features, among others, influencer Adriana Boho and experts such as Sara Giménez, congresswoman for Ciudadanos and president of Fundación Secretariado Gitano, Eva Diaz, CEO of Shaping The New, José Ignacio Pichardo, PhD in social anthropology, or Sylvia Jarabo, managing partner of Promising Women.
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Ilaria Donatio
Italy competition, the unknown
In Italy, it seems that competitors are protected more than competition. Since 2009, it would be mandatory to adopt an annual Competition Act. “It would be” because – in fact – it was issued only once in 2017. Until President Draghi has indicated it among the Government's priorities because strongly requested by the EU to be able to free the funds of Recovery Plan: it was therefore included in the Pnrr and, finally, in November 2021 a Draft of the law "Competition" was launched by the Council of Ministers.
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Rahel Zibner
Human rights talk in Italy
On the occasion of the elections in Italy FNF Madrid held a Human Rights Lunch Talk in Rome on the 25th of September. Representatives of liberal partner think tanks of FNF gathered to discuss the implications and consequences of a possible victory and formation of a government of the far right for the human rights situation and women, migrant and the LGBTI community in particular. Michael G. Link, MP and European policy spokesperson of the Free Democrats' parliamentary group in the Bundestag gave an input on the German-Italian relations.