The extraordinary congress of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) will be held on 20 and 21 March and will unveil the manifesto for the European elections.
In a provisional version consulted by EUROPE, the European political party promises to take action to “overcome the current threats to our internal and external security, the economic challenges and the climate crisis”.
Stimulating economic growth and the green transition
Among other things, the ALDE party is calling for sufficiently flexible funds to respond to crises and new tax rules to encourage countries to redirect their public investment towards sustainable and digital transition.
It then emphasises the need to reduce administrative burdens and supports a secure digital environment.
With regard to the transition to low-carbon energy, the centre-right family is calling for investment in all types of renewable energies, complemented by carbon capture, storage and elimination technologies, as well as reducing dependence on imports of critical raw materials.
The ALDE also wants to reform the CAP to support consumers and farmers in their transition to a sustainable food production system.
Increasing public confidence
European Liberals advocate a number of institutional reforms, such as opening up the European Commission’s consultation process to encourage greater citizen participation, reducing the number of European Commissioners, and allowing the European Parliament to vote no-confidence in any member of the Commission.
They then call on all EU countries to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) (see other news), which “should have the capacity to apply sanctions beyond financial penalties”.
On asylum and migration policy, the manifesto encourages reform of the Common European Asylum System, to “put an end to the cynical and inhumane business model of smugglers, improve reception standards, share responsibility and make asylum procedures more efficient”.
Acting for Europe’s security
To ensure the security of the Union, the manifesto calls for more investment in pan-European defence forces and in research and development “to create an independent European capability for action”. And it wants to strengthen the EU’s role on the world stage through greater unity of action.
With regard to Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, the European party is calling for increased military aid and support for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
On EU enlargement, the party reaffirms its commitment to a policy of openness to European countries that meet the so-called ‘Copenhagen criteria’.
The party then wants to renew the push for trade and investment agreements with open, market-based economies and achieve a free trade agreement with the United States.
Finally, it insists on reducing dependence on regimes that do not share European values by using a de-risking strategy. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)