Issue 15
- FDP holds key in coalition negotiations
- Venstre victorious in Norwegian elections
- DPJ Japan elects new leader
- Change of date: LI 175th Executive Meeting on 5-6 November 2005
- Alderdice greatly encouraged by Latin American Liberals
- President Wade awarded Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize
FDP holds key in coalition negotiations
The German parliamentary elections on Sunday 18 September were a success for the Liberal FDP who scored its best election result in 15 years. The FDP is likely to achieve 61 seats which is 14 more than in the previous elections. Andrea Merkel's Christian Alliance gained the most votes allowing them 225 seats in Parliament and SPD came second with only three seats behind.
Even though she won the elections, Merkel faces tough negotiations in forming the next government. The FDP and CDU/CSU fall short of a majority and Schroeder has announced the SPD will only accept a grand coalition with the CDU/CSU if he remains Chancellor.
The Jamaica coalition (CDU/CSU, FDP, Greens) is mentioned as an alternative referring to the defining colours of the its flag: black, yellow and green. FDP leader Westerwelle is also being urged by the SPD to reconsider the “traffic light” option that involves SPD (red), FDP (yellow) and The Greens.
Official results when all but one district has shown account for the votes: CDU 35.2% (-3.3), SPD 34.3% (-4.2), FDP 9.8% (+2.4), The Left 8.7% (+4.7), The Greens 8.1% (+0.5).
Venstre victorious in Norwegian elections
For Venstre, the Norwegian parliamentary elections on 12 September were the most successful in the party's recent history. By quadrupling their seats from two to ten they are the only party of the previous government to do well. “This is what we have been dreaming of” said leader Lars Sponheim, who is now believed to resign from his position after many years as leader of the party.
The Labour Party is set to govern after winning the elections and appears to form a centre-left coalition together with Socialistisk Venstre and Senterpartiet.
Results: Arbeiderpartiet 32.7%, Fremskrittspartiet 22.1%, Hoeyre (rightwing) 14.1%, Socialistisk Venstre (socialist leftwing) 8.8%, Kristelig Folkepartiet (Christian democratic) 6.8%, Senterpartiet (agrarian) 6.5%, Venstre 5.9%.
DPJ Japan elects new leader
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) surprised many observers, including many of its own members, by electing Seiji Maehara, 43, as its new president on Saturday 17 September 2005. By electing Maehara, in a razor thin open ballot 96-94, the party turned to its new generation of politicians. Maehara is set to appoint Yukio Hatoyama as Secretary General.
Serving as shadow Minister for Defense, Maehara is an expert on security issues and in favour of increasing the role of Japanese armed forces in peace-keeping operations, an issue over which the DPJ remains devided.
In last sundays election of the 480 seat Lower House, the DPJ won only 113 seats. The Liberal Democratic Party (Conservative) obtained 296 seats and controls together with the small party Komeito (Conservative) two thirds of the Lower House.
Change of date: LI 175th Executive Meeting on 5-6 November 2005
We have been alerted to the fact that the dates of the Executive Committee in Mallorca coincide with the end of Ramadan (3 November). Although the dates were confirmed at the Congress in Sofia we have postponed the Conference and Executive Committee Meeting by 1 day. The new dates will be Saturday 5 November and Sunday 6 November 2005.
Hopefully by postponing the conference by 1 day we will be able to accommodate our speakers and participants of Muslim faith. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the LI secretariat in London. Our sincere apologies if this causes any inconvenience
For further information please contact the Secretariat +44.20.7839.5905 or all@liberal-international.org
Alderdice greatly encouraged by Latin American Liberals
LI President, Lord Alderdice, described himself 'greatly encouraged' on his return from visiting with Liberal leaders in Argentina and Brazil.
His visits, which were organized in conjunction with FNSt, gave him an opportunity to see the political progress being made by RECREAR under its energetic Leader, the Economist and former Defence Minister, Ricardo Lopez Murphy. Lord Alderdice joined Ricardo Lopez Murphy and Costa Rican Liberal Leader, Otto Guevara in addressing a large public meeting organized as part of the current election campaign. Speaking after the meeting Lord Alderdice said: 'The interest of journalists and the enthusiasm for liberal ideas which was clear to me in a number of private meetings, was mirrored in this public event. Lopez Murphy has been doing a great job in promoting liberal economic and social ideas and we must give him all the help we can. Until recently in some areas such as human rights, the socialists seem to have captured the agenda but we have now joined battle alongside our colleagues who are determined to ensure that the press, and through them the wider public appreciates who really stands for the things they value.'
In Porto Alegre, Brazil, Lord Alderdice joined Onyx Lorenzoni, the leader of the PFL in Rio Grande do Sul to be briefed on prospective developments for Liberalism in Brazil, and afterwards they held a joint press conference. 'Onyx Lorenzoni is clearly succeeding in getting across to the public that it is Liberals who are leading the anti-corruption fight in Brazil and this is bringing more people to our cause, and benefitting this wonderful country. I am very encouraged not only by his courage and commitment but also by the activities of the young people in the Institute for Economic Studies and the Freedom Institute. They really are getting the message out in a most impressive way and I think we can look forward to real growth here.'
President Wade awarded Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize
Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade was awarded the 2005 Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize by UNESCO, the Paris-based UN educational and cultural agency.
The Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize—created in 1989 and awarded by UNESCO annually—honours people, organisations and institutions “which have contributed significantly to the promotion, research, safeguarding or maintaining of peace, mindful of the Charter of the United Nations and the Constitution of UNESCO.”
“The prize is given to President Abdoulaye Wade for his contribution to democracy in his country and for his mediation in political crises and conflicts in Africa.” declared by an international jury presided by Henry Kissinger. This is the second time that the prize goes to Africa after its attribution to Nelson Mandela and Frederik W. De Klerk in 1991.