Liberal Europe Podcast

What role should nuclear energy play in Europe's transition to a cleaner, more secure energy future? As the continent works to meet its climate goals while navigating rising energy demands and geopolitical instability, nuclear is once again part of the conversation. In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) speaks with Manuel Fernández Ordóñez, Director of the Peter Huber Institute for Energy Research at Universidad de las Hespérides and author on nuclear energy policy. Together, they dive into the potential of nuclear in the energy mix, address safety concerns, and explore new technologies reshaping the sector. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

What is the role of human rights advocacy in a full-scale Russian war in Ukraine? What part do Europeans play in this struggle? And how to fight the growing sense of indifference? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Oleksandra Matviichuk, a human rights defender who works on issues in Ukraine and the OSCE region. She heads the human rights organization Center for Civil Liberties, which was awarded the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. Tune in for their talk! This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

How do we build a European budget that's fit for the future? In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) sits down with Lukas Sustala, Political Director of NEOS and head of the NEOS Lab think tank, to dive into the ELF-NEOS Lab publication “Future-proofing the European Budget.” Together, they explore how the EU budget has evolved, what's holding it back, and what reforms are essential as we look toward the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

Could the AFD party come to power in Germany? What would it mean for the German democracy and Europe? Why is the current historical narrative of the Bundesrepublik becoming useless? And what will be the identity of Germany in the future? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Klaus Bachmann, Professor of Political Science at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (SWPS) in Warsaw, Poland. He is a political scientist and a historian, who specializes in issues of European integration, transitional justice, recent history of Central and Eastern Europe, and totalitarian movements. Tune in for their talk! This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

How does Turkey navigate its strategic balancing act between Russia and the EU? Turkey stands at a geopolitical crossroads between Moscow's influence, Brussels' expectations, and its own shifting ambitions. In this episode, we dive into how Turkey manages its complex relationships with both Russia and the European Union, what “strategic autonomy” really means, and how domestic politics play into global positioning. To unpack this complex dynamic, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) is joined by Elif Menderes, Program Manager at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and a specialist in political communication. They discuss her chapter in the ELF publication Towards a New Iron Curtain, titled 'Türkiye's Perspective on the Resurgence of the Iron Curtain: Balancing Relations with Russia and the European Union'.  This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

What does the forthcoming presidential election in Poland mean for Europe? What are the main issues and divisions between the candidates that occur in the ongoing campaign? And how will the election result influence the current government and its policy? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Adam Jasser, an economic and political analyst with 30 years of professional experience as a journalist, an editor, and a policymaker. He is currently the Deputy Director at TVP World, a leading English-language news channel in Central Eastern Europe, and the host of 'On the Record', a current affairs show. Tune in for their talk! This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

Why are voters turning to radical populists, even when their promises threaten the very foundations of democracy? In this episode, Juan Pina, Secretary General of the Foundation for the Advancement of Liberty, dives deep into the rise of radical populism. He explains why this isn't just a fringe movement but a fundamental challenge to democratic norms, fuelled by powerful external influences and shifting cultural identities. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

Why are students protesting in Serbia? What are the social and political reasons for the upheaval? What is the state of the Serbian democracy? Is the European Union choosing interests over values? And should we fear the recent geopolitical tensions in the Balkans? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Ivan Vejvoda, Permanent fellow at the IWM. Ivan is the head of Europe's Futures program and a host of Vienna Coffee House Conversations. He was the Senior Vice President for Programs at the German Marshall Fund (GMF) of the United States, Executive Director of GMF's Balkan Trust for Democracy, and in the Serbian government as a senior advisor on foreign policy and European integration to Prime Ministers Zoran Djindjic and Zoran Zivkovic. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director of the Belgrade-based Fund for an Open Society from 1998 to 2002. He was a key figure in the democratic opposition movement in Yugoslavia during the 1990s, and has published widely on the subjects of democratic transition, totalitarianism, and post-war reconstruction in the Balkans. Tune in for their talk! Find out more about the guest: https://www.iwm.at/fellow/ivan-vejvoda Listen to the episode of the Vienna Coffee House Conversations with Ivan Vejvoda and Leszek Jazdzewski https://www.iwm.at/europes-futures/publication/defense-of-democracy-in-central-europe-and-the-us This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

Despite shared democratic values and growing trade ties, the EU continues to treat Taiwan as a “second-tier partner”, prioritizing economic engagement over political or security commitments. The EU's balancing act between Taiwan and China remains a central challenge, with diverging views among member states complicating a unified approach. In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social), welcomes back Dr Laia Comerma, now also a postdoctoral researcher under the Hans van Baalen scholarship. They talk about Laia's policy paper A second-tier partner? Taiwan in the EU's Indo-Pacific strategy, an ELF publication. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social), welcomes back Amb. Nino Kalandadze, founder and executive director of the Chavchavadze Center in Tbilisi, Georgia. They talk about the situation on the country, the courage of Georgians fighting for a better future, and what we can all do to help.  This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

Why were the presidential elections in Romania annulled? Who was behind the TikTok campaign of Călin Georgescu? And what is the state of democracy in Romania ahead of the repeated elections? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Georgiana Gheorghe, the Executive Director of APADOR-CH, a leading human rights organization based in Bucharest, Romania. Tune in for their talk! This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

What should we know about Europe's defense industry? What capabilities does Europe need to develop to deter the Russian aggression? What are the consequences of the German debt brake reform? And is a common European defense single market possible? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Guntram B. Wolff, a Senior fellow at Bruegel. He is also a Professor of Economics at the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB). From 2022-2024, he was the Director and CEO of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) and from 2013-22 the director of Bruegel. Over his career, he has contributed to research on European political economy, climate policy, geoeconomics, macroeconomics and foreign affairs. He regularly testifies to the European Parliament, the Bundestag, and speaks to corporate boards. In 2020, Business Insider ranked him one of the 28 most influential “power players” in Europe. Tune in for their talk! Read the analysis: https://www.bruegel.org/analysis/defending-europe-without-us-first-estimates-what-needed This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

What does it take to keep a democracy alive in the midst of war? What happens when a nation's fate rests not only on soldiers and politicians but on the courage of its people? In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social), talks with Dr Svitlana Kovalchuk, the Executive Director at Yalta European Strategy (YES) where she shares how Ukraine's civil society is not just surviving but shaping the country's future. From grassroots activism to high-level diplomacy, she unpacks the relentless efforts of citizens fighting for freedom, governance, and international support. As Ukraine stands at a crossroads, their struggle carries lessons for the world. This is the story of resilience, resistance, and the power of people to define their own destiny. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

Is Donald Trump's presidency the beginning of a new era in the global world order? What is there to know about economic disruption and globalization in this context? And is the European Union overreacting in its response to the recent events or rather attempting to 'make Europe great again'? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Matthew Kaminski, POLITICO's Editor-at-Large, writing regularly on global politics. He is the co-founder of POLITICO Europe, a pan-European publication created in 2014 through a joint-venture with Axel Springer, and a former Editor-in-Chief of POLITICO from 2019-2023. Tune in for their talk! This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

Liberal Europe Podcast host Ricardo Silvestre talks to Austrian liberal MEP Anna Stürgkh who shares her journey from Austria to the European Parliament, her passion for the European Union, and her work on energy security and reform. We also dive into pressing issues like the future of Europe, the rise of populism, and the importance of delivering on Europe's promises to its citizens. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

What does Donald Trump understand about politics that others don't? What is the impact of Trump's presidency on Europe (and the Polish political scene in particular)? And what should we expect from the forthcoming Polish presidential elections? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Andrzej Bobiński, the Managing Director of Polityka Insight. Tune in for their talk! This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Leszek Jażdżewski (Fundacja Liberte!) and Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) discuss the evolving role of NATO and the European Union in global security amidst shifting U.S. foreign policy under the second Trump administration. They explore whether Europe can step up as a security provider, how transatlantic relations are reshaping, and what this means for the EU's strategic autonomy in the face of growing geopolitical tensions. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

Over-fragmentation of the European defense market is a major issue that weakens the EU's military capabilities and efficiency. The EU countries have too many different weapon systems, national procurement processes, and military standards, making interoperability difficult and reducing cost-effectiveness. To be a stronger security player, the EU must reduce fragmentation, develop a more unified defense market and significantly increase defense investments to provide at least half of NATO's conventional capabilities. In the new episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, our host, Ricard Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social), speaks with Dr. Gerlinde Niehus, an independent NATO and international security expert, about NATO's evolving role in European defense, the EU's military ambitions, and the ongoing threat posed by Putin's Russia. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

Many people with disabilities are disenfranchised completely from voting in Europe, but physical barriers are not the only ones preventing them from taking a more active role in politics. There is still a lot to do to encourage political participation and proper representation of this minority group. Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) is joined by Alva Finn, the Executive Director of ELF Secretariat, and Baroness Sal Brinton, British MP for the Liberal Democrats and Vice-President in the ALDE Party. Alva leads the conversation with MP Sal on how to drive cultural change regarding the acceptance of politicians with disabilities and how political parties can support minority groups in political participation. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

Crisis after crisis, the youth need politicians who will not ignore their problems but propose solutions so they can feel they have a future. In such a volatile environment—with wars and COVID still in the back of our heads—security and stability are something that we are all craving. Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) talks to Ines Holzegger, resident of LYMEC - Liberal Youth about the role of liberal youth in the political future of Europe, and the importance of crafting the right political messages to engage young European voters. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

What brings 2025 to Europe? And how should we prepare for that? Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) talks to ELF President MEP Jan-Christoph Oetjen about EU strategic autonomy, the balance of power at the European Parliament and his motivation to be ELF Board President; This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social), talks to MEP and ELF Board Member, Jeannette Baljeu. They talk about the document "The future of European competitiveness – A competitiveness strategy for Europe", also known as Draghi Report, from a political perspective. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

While sovereignty and sustainability are vital, competitiveness is essential to achieving both. Without competitiveness, taxpayer money could be wasted on lofty goals that fail to deliver results. In the new episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social), talks to Professor Gerard Pogorel, Senior Fellow at ELF, about the Draghi Report, and about how the EU is facing an industrial autonomy trilemma. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

How can the European Union woo Donald Trump? Why immigration is beneficial and morally right? And what is the EU's potential for change and reform? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Philippe Legrain, a former economic adviser to the president of the European Commission, a Visiting Senior Fellow at the London School of Economics' European Institute, and the author of "Them and Us: How Immigrants and Locals Can Thrive Together" and "European Spring: Why our Economies and Politics Are in a Mess and How to Put Them Right". Tune in for their talk! Find out more about the guest: https://philippelegrain.com/ Check out the publication discussed in the episode: https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/us-election-how-european-leaders-should-woo-trump-by-philippe-legrain-2024-11 This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

In the latest episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social), talks to the MEP Lucia Yar, Vice President of the European Liberal Forum, about her journey from journalism to politics, Progressive Slovakia's mission, and the importance of gender equality in EU policy. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

What is the outcome of the parliamentary elections in Georgia? What should we know about the authoritarian evolution of the Georgian Dream ruling party? What was the role of the Russian war in Ukraine on the politics in Georgia? What is the way forward? And what should the European Union do about these recent developments? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Alexander Zibzibadze, Chairman and Founder of the youth educational organization Georgia's Future Academy (GFA). His leadership of the GFA, the renowned youth network Franklin Club and wider civil society has been instrumental in organizing two large-scale protest waves against the so-called "Russian foreign agents law" in March 2023 and April-June 2024. After the protests, he was one of the initiators to establish the "My Vote for the EU" coalition, the largest election observation mission for the 2024 Georgian Parliamentary Elections uniting more than 20 leading NGOs. After the protests, Aleksandre has also emerged as a prominent civil society leader and a national and international media commentator. Tune in for their talk! This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

What lessons should be drawn from the EU's response to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic or the Russian war in Ukraine? How can the European Union act more efficiently in a crisis and reduce bureaucratic procedures? What is the overall strategic and geopolitical vision of the EU? And what should we know about the referendum on including integration with the EU into the constitution and the presidential elections in Moldova? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Nicu Popescu, a distinguished Policy Fellow of the European Power programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), based in the Paris office. His areas of focus include how the EU should adapt itself and its policies in light of the war in Ukraine, including the development of a ‘war economy', as well as EU enlargement to the east and Europe's relations with Russia. He served as Moldova's Deputy Prime-Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration between August 2021 and January 2024, and Foreign Minister between June and November 2019. Tune in for their talk! Check out the ECFR report: https://ecfr.eu/publication/better-firefighting-readying-europe-for-an-age-between-war-and-peace/ This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

What is the role of civil society training and engagement in a country where institutions are captured by anti-democratic and anti-liberal governments? In the latest episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) talks with Amb. Nino Kalandadze, founder and executive director of the Chavchavadze Center, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia who led the EU-Georgia Talks in 2008. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum is responsible for the content or for any use that is made of. Show notes This podcast, as well as previous episodes, is available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcast, Stitcher and Spotify. You can learn more about Nino here and follow her on LinkedIn. Get to know the work done by the Chavchavadze Center, the first civil society organisation in Georgia modelled after European political foundations, here. You can also follow them on X/Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. -- You can learn more about the Black Sea Security Conference here and here. You can follow the work done by our colleagues at The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, South Caucasus, here, the Europe-Georgia Institute here, and The Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Regional Programme Political Dialogue South Caucasus, here. Also, a big thank you to our friends at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty which provides uncensored, trusted news to audiences in 23 countries where a free press is under threat, and with a number of award-winning journalists in its team, the Georgian service of RFE/RL, Tavisupleba [meanin "Freedom" in Georgian], provides politically and financially independent journalism.

What are the reasons for Donald Trump's victory? What mistakes did the Democrats make? What will be the consequences of the U.S. presidential election for Europe and its strategic autonomy? And what strategy should liberals adopt against populists? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Garvan Walshe, a political strategist and entrepreneur. He is the founder of the pro-democracy AI company Article7 Strategies and co-founder of Unhack Democracy, which works to build an entrepreneurial civil society in Central and Eastern Europe. Tune in for their talk! Garvan Walshe was a guest of the last edition of Freedom Games, a festival of ideas held annually in Łódź, Poland, held on October 18-20 in EC1 Łódź. The European Liberal Forum was the Co-Organizer of the festival. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

Why would Latinos vote for Trump in the US? Why do some Muslims support Le Pen in France? What role does identity play when it comes to backing populist forces? We continue the conversation with Daniela Melo, lecturer of social sciences at Boston University. This time we focus on how certain minorities vote, accounting, or against their own interests (and how we see that in Europe also). This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

There's a shift in paradigm about what a politician should look like, how they should talk, and what works with the electorate. But post-truth and post-shame politics is not a new phenomenon but one for decades in the making. Daniela Melo, lecturer of social sciences at Boston University and Ricardo Silvestre discussed some of the factors that can decide the US election of the 5th of November, and went into what can be described as a "post-trust, post-shame" politics. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

What makes an ideology sexy? What does the liberal utopia look like? What does it mean to be a 'good liberal' politician, bureaucrat, or a think tank? And how to make liberalism sexy (again)? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Sven Gerst, a philosopher with an interdisciplinary background in philosophy, politics, and economics. He holds advanced degrees from King's College London, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and the University of Mannheim and has previously studied and worked at Harvard University, Duke University, St. Petersburg State University, and National Taiwan University. Sven Gerst was a guest of the last edition of Freedom Games, a festival of ideas held annually in Łódź, Poland, held on October 18-20 in EC1 Łódź. The European Liberal Forum was the Co-Organizer of the festival. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

The upcoming elections in Georgia are going to be crucial for the country's future: the results could either solidify the recent political shift towards Russia or bring a change in leadership that restores Georgia's pro-Western trajectory. In the latest episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social), talks with Ambassador Gigi Gigiadze, Senior Fellow at the Economic Policy Research Center in Tbilisi, and former Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia about recent political trends and the importance of the election. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) and Leszek Jażdżewski (Fundacja Liberté!) come together to talk about this year's edition of the (amazing) Freedom Games, with the title ‘City:Europe:Future'. They also talk about the age divide on the perception of liberalism, and how that creates the need to make 'liberalism sexy again'. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

Organized crime and corrupt rule of oligarchs - A short history of Slovak nationalism - Why do Slovaks dislike the West? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Michal Vašečka, a Program Director of the Bratislava Policy Institute. Since 2012 Michal serves as a representative of Slovakia in the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) of the Council of Europe. Michal is a chairman of the Editorial Board of Denník N. He operated at the Faculty of Social Studies of Masaryk University in Brno in 2002-2017 and at the Comenius University in 2006-2009. Tune in for their talk! Michal Vašečka will be a guest of the forthcoming edition of Freedom Games, a festival of ideas held annually in Łódź, Poland. This year's edition will be held on October 18-20 in EC1 Łódź. The European Liberal Forum is the Co-Organizer of the festival. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

What influence the Catholic Church has on the Irish national identity? What was growing up in Catholic Ireland like? And how has the self-image of the Irish transformed over the years? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Derek Scally, the "Irish Times Berlin" correspondent. He reports on both German and European politics and current affairs but also on business, arts, and European affairs. He is the author of the book "The Best Catholics in the World: The Irish, the Church and the End of a Special Relationship" (2021). Tune in for their talk! Derek Scally will be a guest of the forthcoming edition of Freedom Games, a festival of ideas held annually in Łódź, Poland. This year's edition will be held on October 18-20 in EC1 Łódź. The European Liberal Forum is the Co-Organizer of the festival. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

In this episode we talk about with Rowan Fitton, the co-editor of the official magazine of LYMEC, the youth organisation of the ALDE Party and the Renew Europe parliamentary group, Libertas, the co-international officer for the Young Liberals UK. We go into the very good results for the Lib-Dems in the last Parlamentaly election, and the future of the UK with the EU, but also relating to Scotland and Norhern Ireland. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

Why do identity politics matter? How not to fall into the identity trap? And what strategy should liberals employ to be successful? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Yascha Mounk, a Professor of the Practice of International Affairs at Johns Hopkins University, the Founder of Persuasion, and the host of “The Good Fight” podcast. His latest book is "The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power In Our Time". Tune in for their talk! Yascha Mounk will be a guest of the forthcoming edition of Freedom Games, a festival of ideas held annually in Łódź, Poland. This year's edition will be held on October 18-20 in EC1 Łódź. The European Liberal Forum is the Co-Organizer of the festival. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

In this episode we talk with Alexandre (Alex) Lefebvre about his latest book, Liberalism as a way of life, from Princeton University Press. Alex is a is professor of Politics and Philosophy at The University of Sydney. We go into the main thesis of the publication, and how to have a good life with liberal values and ideas. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

What impact has populism on our democracies? What are the common misconceptions of China in the West? Are the views of Russia and geopolitics in general evolving? And what is the role of modern France in Europe? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Guy Sorman, an economist and a political scientist. He is the Chair of the Board, Center for French culture, New York University and a Professor of Economics at Paris University(Sciences Po). He is also a Visiting Professor at Beijing, Moscow, Santiago de Chile and Buenos Aires University Political advisor to French President Jacques Chirac, Korean President Lee Myung Baek, Argentina President Carlos Menem. He has been a Deputy Mayor for the City of Boulogne, France, since 1995, and a syndicated columnist (France, Spain, USA, Latin America, Japan). Tune in for their talk! This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

In this episode, we discuss the chapter titled "European Union Chemicals and the Challenge of EU Industrial Autonomy" from the ELF publication Sustainable? Competitive? The EU's Industrial Autonomy – Facts and Fantasies by Emma Argutyan. Emma, the Director General of the European Chemical Employers Group (ECEG), talks about the sector's advantages and needs. The conversation also explores how to integrate migration into the EU labor force and ways to encourage more women to pursue careers in this field. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

In this episode we talk about Russia expanding its influence beyond Europe, with Martin Vladimirov, the Director of the Energy and Climate Program at the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) in Bulgaria. This is the last episode of a collaboration with CSD and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation Office in East and Southeast Europe. The conversation is focused on the report: 'Strategic Decoupling Phasing out Russian economic influence in Germany.' This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

What is the importance of the Labor party's landslide victory in recent UK election? What is the new social and economic policy for the United Kingdom? And what will the development of postindustrial cities look like? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Jason Stockwood, a writer and a businessman who tries to help redefine the next era of capitalism to be more inclusive. Currently, he is the Chairman of Grimsby Town Football Club and a Venture investor. He was previously on the UK board members of BCorp & Global CEO of Simply Business. He also authored a book titled "Reboot: A Blueprint for Happy, Human Business in the Digital Age" (Virgin Books, 2018). Tune in for their talk! This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

Should Russian and Belorussian players participate in the Olympic Games? In this episode we go back into our conversations with authors from Libertas, the official magazine of LYMEC, the youth organisation of the ALDE Party and the Renew Europe parliamentary group, this time with Ilakha Hakhramanova, Editor at Libertas and Policy Officer at the European Youth of Ukraine organisation. The conversation focuses on the Ukraine's participation in the Paris Olympic Games, and why Russian and Belorussian players should not be admitted. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

What is the relation between culture and populism? What should we know about EU cultural policy? And what is the role of philanthropy in shaping modern culture? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Isabelle Schwarz, the Head of Public Policy at the European Cultural Foundation (ECF) in Amsterdam. Previously, she was the Director of ENCATC (European Network of Cultural Management and Cultural Policy Education), the President of the Thomassen Fund (focus on Eastern and Central Europe), and the founder of the Nordic-Baltic Platform for Cultural Management. Earlier, she held research and project management positions with the UN World Commission on Culture and Development, the Council of Europe, the Foresight Department of the Ministry of Culture of France, foundations, and NGOs. Tune in for their talk! This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

In this episode we talk about the European elections with the Secretary General of ALDE Party Didrik de Schaetzen, with a focus on the results of liberals and democrats, what it is in store for the next five years, and how can ELF and its Member Organisations help. This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

How to interpret the recent EU election results? What does it all mean for the EU green and global agenda? Are we experiencing a swing to the right? And is the EU a global player? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Pat Cox, former President of the European Parliament, currently the European Coordinator for the Scandinavian-Mediterranean TEN T (transport) Core Network Corridor, Leader of Needs Assessment and Implementation Mission on parliamentary reform for the European Parliament and the Verkhovna Rada, Kiev, Ukraine, the President of the Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe, and the Chairman of Appointment Advisory Committee at the European Investment Bank. Tune in for their talk! This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

Fighting Russia's dark power with the bright power of enacted values - Conversation with Valeria Korablyova, sociologist and political theorist working on post-Soviet transformations in Ukraine and the region. The conversation is based on the chapter Valeria wrote for the ELF publication "Putin-s Europe". This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

Can societies function without systems of punishment? What is the alternative to prisons? How does the system treat criminals? And is there any room for compassion in the criminal justice system? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Disa Jironet, who has worked for the Dutch Prosecutors' Office since 2008, and in the role of prosecutor since 2017. She has previously specialized in youth crime and is currently working as a prosecutor for the National Expertise Centre on Discrimination in Amsterdam. Prior to her work at the Prosecutor's Office, she worked for Dutch human rights lawyer Liesbeth Zegveld and at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. She is also an author and a speaker, her first book “Crime and Compassion” (Ambo|Anthos) was published in 2020, and went to a third reprint within the first six months. The underlying theme in her work is around the role that justice plays in society and on keeping human interests at the heart of complex (legal) systems. Tune in for their talk! This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

What was it like to grow up in Kosovo in the 1990s? What are the current relations between Kosovo and the European Union? Will civic partnership be introduced in Kosovo thanks to the efforts of the young progressive generation? And will violence return to the Balkans? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Besa Luci, the Chief Editor and co-founder of Kosovo 2.0, a print and multimedia magazine creating uncompromising journalism that listens to people's experiences, explains complex realities, provides context, and provokes conversations in Kosovo, the region, and beyond. Tune in for their talk! This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.

Is the European Defence Union realistic? How could cooperation make the European Union stronger in the world order? We talk about European defence capability with Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Chair of the Defence Committee of the German Bundestag, Deputy Leader of the German Free Democratic Party (FDP) and Member of the Bundestag for North Rhine-Westphalia.  This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in collaboration with Movimento Liberal Social and Fundacja Liberté!, with the financial support of the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum are responsible for the content or for any use that be made of.