Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
ALDE-PACE | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President | Spain |
| Ideology | Liberalism |
| Website | |
| http://www.alde-pace.org/ | |
The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (ALDE-PACE) (French: Alliance des démocrates et des libéraux pour l'Europe) is a political group [1] in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe bringing together 77 members from 33 states [2] of the Council of Europe. The Group is chaired by Mr Jordi Xuclà i Costa (Spain).
ALDE-PACE Mission
The Mission of the ALDE-PACE group is to promote core values of the Council of Europe: democracy, human rights and the rule of law through enhanced political actions inside and outside the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The ALDE members do so by actively participating in the Parliamentary Assembly sessions, working in its Committees, drafting reports, initiating debates and ensuring the follow-up of this work in their home countries. Outside the Assembly the group members are committed to promoting principles of the Council of Europe and giving support to liberal and democratic values throughout Europe.[3]
Composition
Bureau
According to the Rules of Procedure of the ALDE-PACE[4] (as amended on 25 January 2010), the Bureau of the Group consists of the Chairperson, the Secretary General, 10 Vice-Chairpersons and the Treasurer of the Group. Chairpersons of committees and former Chairpersons of the Group are ex officio members of the Bureau. Composition of the Bureau
Members
Secretariat
The permanent secretariat of the Group is located in the headquarters of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France (Palais de l’Europe). The secretariat is chaired by Ms Maria Bigday.
History
It was not until after the celebration of the Council of Europe's 25th anniversary in 1964 that the Rules of Procedure of the Consultative Assembly (its name was not changed to Parliamentary Assembly until 1974) discreetly mentioned that members had the possibility of forming political groups. The history of the liberal group in the PACE dates back to early 1970s (first documented in 1974). At the time it was called the Liberal Group and consisted of 30 members headed by Frederik Portheine (Netherlands). The Group held only one meeting during the week of the Strasbourg part-sessions.[5]
In the mid-80s the group changed its name to the “Liberal, Democratic and Reformers' Group” (LDR) in order to make the Group's political ideals universally and unequivocally recognisable. The name "Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe" (ALDE) was adopted on 20 June 2005[6] in order to enhance cooperation with other European liberal and democratic bodies, in particular the ALDE of the European Parliament.
ALDE-PACE Presidents
| In office | President | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2014–present days | Jordi Xuclà i Costa |  Spain |
| 2009–2014 | Anne Brasseur |  Luxembourg |
| 2002–2009 | Matyas Eörsi |  Hungary |
| 1999–2002 | Kristiina Ojuland |  Estonia |
| 1994–1999 | Sir Russell-Johnston |  United Kingdom |
| 1991–1994 | Daniel Tarschys |  Sweden |
| 1983–1991 | Bjorn Elmquist |  Denmark |
| 1980–1983 | Manfred Vohrer |  Germany |
| 1974–1980 | Frederik Portheine |  Netherlands |
Liberal Presidents of the Parliamentary Assembly
| In office | President | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2014–present days | Anne Brasseur | Luxembourg |
| 1999–2002 | Lord Russell-Johnston | United Kingdom |
| 1978–1981 | Hans J. de Koster | Netherlands |
| 1969–1972 | Olivier Reverdin |  Switzerland |
| 1960–1963 | Per Federspiel | Denmark |
Liberal Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Daniel Tarschys (Sweden) was Secretary General of the Council of Europe from 1994 - 1999.
History of the Secretariat
The permanent secretariat of the Group operates since 1978, when Mr Peter Kallenberger was appointed Secretary of the Group. After he retired in 2010, Ms Maria Bigday took up the position of the Secretary.
Activities
Recent reports prepared by the ALDE members
Mailis REPS
Recent developments in Ukraine: threats to the functioning of democratic institutions (Report, Doc. 13465, 9 April 2014); Corruption as a threat to the rule of law (Report, Doc. 13228, 10 June 2013)
Jordi XUCLÀ I COSTA
Strengthening the institution of Ombudsman in Europe (Report, Doc. 13236, 21 June 2013)
Andrea RIGONI
Management of mixed migration and asylum challenges beyond the European Union’s eastern border (Report, Doc. 13163, 8 April 2013)
Anne BRASSEUR
Culture and education through national parliaments: European policies (Report, Doc. 13142, 18 March 2013)
Tina ACKETOFT
Georgia and Russia: the humanitarian situation in the conflict- and war-affected areas. (Report, Doc. 13083, 20 December 2012)
Dick MARTY
Inhuman treatment of people and illicit trafficking in human organs in Kosovo (Report, Doc. 12462, Resolution 1782, 25 January 2011); Alleged secret detentions and unlawful inter-state transfers of detainees involving Council of Europe member states (Report, Doc 10957, 12 June 2006)
Conferences and side-events
The ALDE-PACE Group regularly holds conferences, hearings, seminars and round tables in the framework of the Council of Europe scope of interest. It also co-organises joint events with other European and international liberal and democratic institutions.
In 2013–2014 the ALDE initiated the following events:
- Exchange of views on the situation in Ukraine, April 2014, Strasbourg;
- Exchange of views on the cooperation between ALDE and the Venice Commission, October 2013, Strasbourg;
- Round table on how to prevent inappropriate restrictions on NGO activities in Europe, June 2013, Strasbourg;
- Round table on the access to human rights and political participation of youth, April 2013, Strasbourg;
- Hearing on the human rights situation in Azerbaijan, January 2013, Strasbourg.
Partner organisations
The ALDE-PACE holds stable partnership with major European and world liberal and democratic organisations.
- Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the European Parliament (ALDE-EP)
- Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party (ALDE Party)
- International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY)
- Liberal International (LI)
- Independent Liberal and Democratic Group (ILDG), Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
References
- ↑ Rules of Procedure of the Parliamentary Assembly, Part IV, Rule 18
- ↑ As on 14 April 2014, Assembly List, Strasbourg, April 2014
- ↑ ALDE-PACE Mission Statement: http://www.alde-pace.org/index.php?page=3
- ↑ ALDE-PACE Rules of Procedure: http://www.alde-pace.org/_uploads/1265712970_ALDE_Rules_of_Procedure.pdf
- ↑ ALDE-PACE history: http://www.alde-pace.org/index.php?page=3
- ↑ Council of Europe: Parliamentary Assembly (6 April 2006). Official report of debates: 2005 ordinary session (third part), 20-24 June 2005, Vol. 3: Sittings 17 to 24, pages 615 to 942. Council of Europe. pp. 621–. ISBN 978-92-871-5803-1. Retrieved 7 August 2013.