A short ELDR history - From 1976 to 2006
From 1976 to 2006, the European Liberal Democrats have always sought to bring positive energy to Europe. This is why the 30th ELDR anniversary event is entitled "energising Europe".
30 years ago, nine parties sharing the European Liberal Democrat values gathered in Stuttgart to create the European federation of liberal parties. Many of the goals outlined in the truly visionary Stuttgart Declaration, the European Liberal Democrat's founding document, still have to be achieved, such as the abolition of remaining administrative restrictions within the European Community on the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital, the adoption of a Constitution for the European Union, the harmonization of economic and financial policies and the creation of a common foreign policy.
Today, the European Liberal Democrats are determined not to renounce to their ideals. Whether in parliament or in government, they are striving to complete the internal market as a truly economic area without internal frontiers and to reform Europe's economy to make it more prosperous and competitive. They believe in a fair, free and open Europe which enables each of its citizens to fulfill his/her potential, free from poverty, ignorance and discrimination.
Continuously growing in size and significance, the European federation of liberal parties turned into a proper European political party in 1993. The European Liberal Democrat and Reform (ELDR) Party now unites 47 political parties from the EU and neighbouring countries. 30 years after its founding, ELDR is proud to be a driving force for the continuous deepening, reinforcement and enlargement of the European Union. In the last ten years, good progress has been made in expanding its membership along with EU enlargement. The newly elected party leadership intends to focus on consolidating ELDR and making it a truly transnational political party.
Representing millions of European voters, the ELDR Party provides an increasingly vital link between citizens and is well represented in the EU institutions.
There are plenty of reasons to come and celebrate the progress accomplished by the European Liberal Democrats over the last 30 years, so come and join us!