The second day of the ALDE Congress started with the usual family photo before heading off to the plenary session for passage of the resolutions. Given that most of them had been previously extensively discussed and compromise texts established, then most of the resolution were passed without any substantive opposition.

Proposed by the LibDems were resolutions on Israel and Gaza as well as Hezbollah which was like the one passed by our own conference in Brighton. This was amended by the Dutch VVD and the German FDP to include a call for a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel.

Our resolution calling for the freedom of Russian political prisoners, with a massive contribution by one of our members of Russian origin, was unsurprisingly passed without any opposition. The governing Servants of the People party from Ukraine filed a resolution calling for toughening of the sanctions regime, strengthening military support, and for a return of the kidnapped children from Russia.

We were also instrumental in calling for action to avert famine in Sudan and condemning electoral fraud as well as human rights violations in Venezuela. The Georgian member parties highlighted the situation in their country and the Congress called for fair elections and democratic reforms in their country. ALDE’s commitment to combatting climate change was reinforced with a motion referencing the recent extreme floods in Italy and Central Europe.

As a non-member of the EU, our party abstained on some amendments and motions directly solely to EU competences. We might have supported a resolution calling on the European council to approve membership of the Schengen agreement for Bulgaria and Romania. On the other hand, we were able to amend a resolution advocating twinning arrangements between Ukraine and Europe to ensure that this encompassed not only member states of the EU, but all European countries.

Finally, the Congress supported a resolution highlighting the lack of menstrual equity in Europe.

After a speech from the President of the Liberal International, Hakima El Haité, the results of the elections were announced: Svenja Hahn MEP from the German FDP was elected president with only a few votes against. Our own Sal Brinton was re-elected Vice President and will be joined by colleagues from Ukraine, Belgium, Finland, Slovakia, and Estonia, all of whom we supported. A great result, ably organized by FIRC Chair, David Chalmers, and supported by other members of the delegation.

The two days in Estoril showed once again how strong our European connections are. We know that we differ in views with some of our liberal colleagues, particularly on some social matters and economic policies. We are all facing similar challenges in the rise of populism and the right, as well as the threat to human rights and democracies. ALDE Congress is not just for an “international elite” in the party – it’s open to every party member to apply to join the delegation. This year we had unfilled places. Do think about applying to come next year!

* Robert Harrison is the current Chair of LDEG. He is a true European, with British and German nationalities, and has been a candidate for the European Parliament several times in Germany.