The European Liberal Forum’s Spring General Assembly in Vienna was the largest gathering in the organisation’s history, marking a milestone moment. Over two days, the event moved beyond formalities, becoming a space for critical reflection, exchange, and forward-looking debate on the future of liberalism in Europe.
The European Liberal Forum’s Spring General Assembly in Vienna was the largest gathering in the organisation’s history, marking a milestone moment. Over two days, the event moved beyond formalities, becoming a space for critical reflection, exchange, and forward-looking debate on the future of liberalism in Europe.
Co-Hosted by NEOS Lab, the Assembly brought together participants from across the network to challenge assumptions, test ideas, and begin shaping what a renewed, resilient liberalism could look like in a rapidly changing political and social landscape.
📸 Highlights from the General Assembly can be viewed here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCR5Wg
Policy Lab: Rethinking Democracy for 2050
A central feature of the Assembly was the Policy Lab, which gathered around 80 participants into focused working groups to address a core question: what does a resilient democracy look like in 2050?
What emerged was a shared recognition that democracy must evolve alongside the systems that shape it. Discussions explored the role of education and culture in strengthening participation, the importance of safeguarding independent media, and the need to rethink digitalisation as a public good that can enhance democratic engagement.
A recurring phrase captured the mood of the discussions: “this may not sound very liberal, but…”
This hesitation reflects a broader reality. Liberalism is being tested by new technological, social, and geopolitical conditions, and it must adapt accordingly. The outcomes of the Policy Lab will be compiled into a structured publication, ensuring that the ideas developed in Vienna continue to inform future work.
Address from the President
ELF President Jan-Christoph Oetjen opened the Assembly with an address that looked back on the past year, including the General Assembly in Budapest, where many participants witnessed large-scale protests against democratic backsliding. Today, Hungary is showing that populism can be defeated, and similar signals are emerging from Slovakia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and across Europe.
The task ahead, as outlined in the address, is to move beyond analysis and offer tangible solutions. This means focusing on tangible, everyday issues such as housing, demographic change, AI, and other emerging technologies.
At the same time, efforts are underway to shape a new liberal-centrist identity in cooperation with Renew Europe and ALDE Party, positioning liberalism to remain both relevant and forward-looking in the years ahead.
Keynote Address: Migration as a Structural Reality
Yannick Shetty, member of the Austrian Parliament and the Parliamentary Group Leader of NEOS, addressed the GA with a memorable keynote speech on one of the most pressing and complex issues facing Europe today: migration.
Framing migration as a structural and enduring feature of globalisation, rather than a temporary crisis, he emphasised its close connection to the fundamental liberal principle of freedom: the freedom to move, to choose, and to build a future. At the same time, he stressed that resilience is tested not in theory, but in practice, particularly in how societies manage integration on a daily basis. Migration is not only a challenge to be managed, but a reality to be shaped—and an opportunity to be addressed with pragmatic, forward-looking solutions.
New Members and Developments Within the Network
The General Assembly also brought important developments within the ELF network. Two new organisations were welcomed: Movimento 2031 from Portugal joined as an affiliate member, and the Adam Smith Society from Italy was elevated to full membership. Both were approved unanimously.
At the same time, some departures were noted. Due to regulatory changes, the Institute of Liberal Politics from Armenia has had to leave ELF. Following the recent Hungarian elections, Indítsuk Be Magyarországot Foundation and 21 Research Centre have also submitted resignation letters. These are hoped to be administrative rather than permanent changes, and ELF remains committed to supporting liberal communities in both countries.