Issue 158

 

DPP declares new policy vision for a “progressive and fair Taiwan”

LI member the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) held its national congress last Sunday and vowed to ensure “quality administration” and values of “integrity, diligent governance and love for the country” in the party's campaign in city and county magistrate elections on 5 December. Chair Tsai Ing-wen outlined the new policy vision focused on improving the standards and quality of the lives of the Taiwanese people based on the concepts of a “progressive life” and a “fair Taiwan.” The party committed itself to ensuring that “Taiwan has a fair and comprehensive economic governance with a long-term sustainable economy,“ hence limits China's role and weight in Taiwan's development. Last month DPP won a landslide victory in a legislative by-election in Yuling County and also defeated the ruling KMT-backed referendum on casinos in Penghu County. Bi-Kim Hsiao, Vice President on the LI Bureau attended the Congress. 

 

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Sweden steers Europe towards eco efficient future

The Swedish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Enterprise and Energy and leader of the LI full member Centre Party of Sweden, Maud Olofsson, has chaired discussions on the subject of European eco-efficient economy between her European colleagues and industry representatives. Olofsson stressed how important it is that Europe should become an ‘eco-efficient economy' as soon as possible. “Today the world is experiencing both a climate crisis and a financial crisis. This can give Europe great opportunities to develop its economy. Today's discussions are a starting point for this process, to create new jobs and increase Europe's growth through the ‘Lisbon Strategy'. The Spanish Presidency will carry on the work on the strategy during the spring, but I think that today's discussions can give input to that work,” said Maud Olofsson at a concluding press briefing. The Centre Party of Sweden has drafted a resolution to be discussed at the LI Congress in Cairo, next week. For password to the resolutions please e-mail political advisor James Patava at James@liberal-international.org

 

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Republican Party of Georgia not to join new wave of protests

David Usupashvili, Leader of Liberal International Observer Member the Republican Party of Georgia, announced this week that his party will not take place in the upcoming November street protests in Georgia. The demonstrations are supported by several non-parliamentarian opposition parties, who called for a new wave of protests against President Saakashvili in November. The parties engaged in the organization of the demonstrations said they are not willing to compromise with or talk to the government. Mr. Usupashvili disagreed with this radical stance, and commented that the best way to remove the current administration is through elections. “If anyone believes that a miracle will happen someday and the Government can be driven out by protests that are their choice. The Republican Party is part of the Alliance for Georgia, which is the serious alternative to the present Government. We intend to gain power via democratic and just elections. We will not hinder other opposition parties, but we have our own way of doing things”, Mr. Usupashvili said.

 

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“We are a product of dialogue” says MDC Minister Misihairabwi-Mushonga

On 19 October, Zimbabwe's Minister of Regional Integration and International Cooperation spoke to an open meeting at the Royal Commonwealth Society on the topic of “Harare Principles to Harare Practice.” As a member of the inclusive government in Zimbabwe, we are in fact a product of dialogue…as a government, we have adopted a policy to engage with international organsiations that will help us move forward”, said Minister Priscila Misihairabwi-Mushonga.  Speaking on the topic of political reform, she indicated that institutions are necessary which will go “beyond the people”. The government is in the process of, or has already set up, commissions to deal with human rights, elections and the media. Hosted by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, other speakers included Professor Knox Chityo (a speaker at the LI-ALDE conference on Zimbabwe hosted in December 2008). The inclusive government of Zimbabwe includes representatives from the Movement for Democratic Change, the Movement for Democratic Change — Tsvangirai and ZANU PF. The LI Secretariat was represented by LI Political Advisor James Patava.

 

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FNF Korea Project Director met with North Korea ruling party officials

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty (FNF) Korea Project Director Walter Klitz visited North Korea from 29 September to 1 October, his 14th visit in two and a half years. Mr Klitz met with the officials of the ruling Worker's Party, which has ruled the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for over six decades. Issues concerning inner Korean affairs, denuclearisation, the Six-party talks, current food situation, and the effect of the imposed sanction against North Korea were discussed during the four-hour meeting. Mr Klitz also thanked them for keeping their words and releasing the detained American journalists in August. In his previous visit to Pyongyang, Mr Klitz had firmly urged the release of the journalists for humanitarian reason and as gesture of good will. Mr Klitz also commented that the friendly tone should not be misinterpreted as substantial progress as creating a favourable atmosphere alone would not address the actual problems. He stressed that the world expects a strong signal of denuclearisation.   

 

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Nicaraguan Court backs Ortega’s re-election

The Nicaraguan Supreme Court has lifted a constitutional ban on re-election, clearing the way for populist President Daniel Ortega to run again in 2011. In July Ortega said publically that he was seeking a constitutional amendment for this purpose. Six juges, all regarded as supporters of Ortega's Sandinista Party, determined that the constitutional ban on allowing re-election was “unenforceable.” Leader of Nicaraguas Liberal Party, Eduardo Montealegre stated that “what the judges did was an illegal manoeuvre that shatters the constitutions”. Monealegre also said that for the elections of 2011 the opposition will come together and do everything in their power to defeat Ortega. Yet despite protests from the opposition, Ortega now has a clear path at a new term as president of Nicaragua

 

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Follow LI on Twitter

Recently, Liberal International joined the ever growing world of www.twitter.com. In the first week, already 90 members joined the LI Twitter account. Twitter presents an excellent opportunity for Liberal International to inform its members and other interested parties of its activities, and of liberal events and political news around the world. During the 56th Liberal International Congress in Cairo next week, the Liberal International secretariat will keep you updated with all the latest Congress news and information through www.twitter.com/liberalinternat. Congress news will also be announced through Facebook. The Liberal International Facebook page can be accessed through the following link. We encourage all liberals to join the Liberal International Twitter and Facebook accounts.

 

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LI Cairo Congress

The 56th Congress of the Liberal International will be held in Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt from Thursday 29th October until 1st Sunday November 2009. The central theme of this pre-eminent liberal event for 2009 will be 'Education for the 21st Century', and will gather hundreds of liberal leaders and thinkers from around the world. The event is hosted by Liberal Internationals Egyptian member the Democratic Front Party. Hundreds of liberals from all over the world will attend the Congress that opens at the morning of the 30th October. The Final program is now available online on the Liberal International homepage. The Liberal International secretariat will be closed from Tuesday 27 October and will be fully operational again on 9 November. For emergencies contact all@liberal-international.org.

 

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