Top stories: 30 November to 6 December 2013
- ALDE Party holds Congress in London: The 34th annual Congress of European Liberals was held in London on 28-30 November. The main themes of the Congress were the need to combat the rise of eurosceptic and populist parties, the need for a federal Europe, the possibility of the UK leaving the EU. The ALDE Party adopted its manifesto for the European Parliament elections and, on the margins of the Congress, European commissioner Olli Rehn expressed his desire to run for the European Parliament next year and to be the Party’s candidate for the presidency of the European Commission. ALDE Party; Europolitics; EurActiv
- Bettel becomes Prime Minister: On 4 December the leader of the Democratic Party (DP – a member of the ALDE Party), Xavier Bettel, became Luxembourg’s new Prime Minister. Bettel, who was previously Mayor of Luxembourg City, will lead a coalition government composed of Liberals, Social Democrats and Greens. ALDE Party; European Voice; New Europe; European Greens
- SDP names Euro candidates: Finland’s Social Democratic Party (SDP – a member of the PES) has named thirteen candidates for the European Parliament elections. The SDP’s two current MEPs – Liisa Jaakonsaari and Mitro Repo – feature, and additions to the list will be made in the Spring. The party has seen a steep fall in support in recent years and is currently polling at historic lows. Yle