European Liberal Forum

How can Europe secure its essential resources in a turbulent geopolitical world? What does economic thought tell us about today’s geoeconomics? And why might the human mind be the true “ultimate resource”? Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) welcomes back philosopher and political economist Sven Gerst, author of the chapter “One ‘Ultimate Resource’ to Rule Them All – Lessons from Economic...

When talking about total defense, for whom and against what is it? What should the European total defense look like? Why cannot everyone be like Finland? And is total defense even possible in polarized societies? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Helena Quis, who works in the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Europe Programme as an expert on European security and resilience, focusing on total...

How do we power a carbon-neutral Europe when the grid can’t keep up with the energy transition? From congestion and permitting delays to smart meters, digitalisation, energy data spaces, and renewable energy communities, Eloi Borgne the Junior Policy and Research Officer at the European Liberal Forum and author of Gridlocked: Unleashing European Power, breaks down the most promising solutions for...

How to deal with the weaponization of information? What is the future (if any) of independent journalism? What does public interest information mean and why should it be protected? Have we lost the shared understanding of the world? And, if that is the case, how can we restore it? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Patrice Schneider, Chief Strategy Officer at the Media Development In...

As global pressures reshape agriculture, Europe faces tough questions about food security, sustainability, and the future of the Common Agricultural Policy. In this episode, Jelte Wiersma, the Secretary General of the European Agricultural Machinery Industry Association (CEMA) unpacks how technology, farmer support, and smarter policy can secure Europe’s food systems in the years ahead. From ferti...

How to interpret the results of the Dutch elections? What does the return of history to European affairs really mean? Is the EU a stage or an actor in the big drama of history? And what kind of Europe is emerging from Donald Trump's efforts to dismantle the American empire and the post-1945 world order? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Luuk van Middelaar, the founding Director of B...

As the geopolitical balance in Europe continues to shift, the Black Sea has emerged as a key frontline in defending democracy and stability on the continent. Russia’s ongoing aggression, the unfinished dismantling of the Soviet legacy, and the struggle for control over critical trade routes and energy corridors have made the region a testing ground for the future of the liberal world order. Ricard...

As the liberal world order weakens and Russia’s aggression in Ukraine persists, Europe must shift from soft to hard power to protect its democracies. This requires bolstering military strength and public resolve amid rising threats, with mainstream parties adapting their strategies. Public opinion polls expose a harsh truth: only one in three Europeans is willing to fight for their country, with y...

Are we witnessing the weakening of political parties? If that is the case, what are the effects of this phenomenon on democracy? Is there a market for centrist politics? Has the US turned populist? And what is the future for Argentina under President Javier Milei? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Samuel Issacharoff, the Bonnie and Richard Reiss Professor of Constitutional Law at th...

What does it mean to live , and stay free in an age of uncertainty? In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre and Leszek Jażdżewski look ahead to Freedom Games 2025 in Łódź, where liberals, thinkers, and changemakers will gather under the theme “Times of Uncertainty.” They discuss this year’s highlights, exploring how liberals can anticipate the future instead of merely reac...

Is the Green Deal dead or is it just resting? Does it make sense for Europe to create ambitious climate goals without the United States and China? And what should we know about climate-focused industrial partnerships of the European Union? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Susi Dennison, a Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), where she acts as Ch...

Ever wonder what it’s like to sit in on one of ELF’s panel discussions? This week, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) brings listeners along with him to the 2024 Freedom Games in Łódź. You’ll get a front-row seat to a conversation featuring Polish MP Aleksandra Kot (Nowoczesna), and even join in on a playful political game with Ricardo and Leszek that shows how serious ideas can mix with...

What is the secret of the populist narrative? Why should we shy away from liberal nostalgia? And what are some of the sources of hope for the future? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Jan-Werner Müller, a Roger Williams Straus Professor of Social Sciences and a Professor of Politics at Princeton University. He works mainly in democratic theory and the history of modern political tho...

How can Europe build public acceptance for wind power and expand clean energy production? Why are some communities hesitant to welcome wind turbines, and what policies can shift public attitudes? In this episode, Daniel Lindvall, Senior Researcher at Climate Change Leadership, Uppsala University, joins Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) to discuss the benefits of wind power for decarboni...

What are the polls telling us about the forthcoming October election in the Czech Republic? Will Andrej Babiš come back to power? What are some of the issues and scandals that dominate the political debate ahead of the election? And what will be the Czech position on Ukraine, the NATO, and security under the new government? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Martin Ehl, a journalist...

How can EU Member States ensure that justice systems are not only efficient, but also trusted by their citizens? In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) sits down with Dr. Georgios Archontas, political philosopher and economic theorist, to explore the findings of the ELF policy paper Strengthening Justice Effectiveness in the EU Member States Mea...

What game is President Donald Trump playing with Vladimir Putin? Is peace in Ukraine attainable? And what is the role of the EU in the negotiations, if any? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Piotr Buras, the Head of ECFR's Warsaw office and a Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Tune in for their talk! This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Fo...

What happens when migrants don’t just adapt to their new home, but transform it? What drives them to start businesses despite facing more obstacles than locals, and why are their ventures often more successful? And how can smart policies unlock this untapped potential? In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) speaks with Roxana Nicula, Chair of th...

What does Kosovo's path to the EU look like? What should we know about Kosovo's struggle for independence? What geopolitical tensions should we be aware of in the Western Balkans? And what is the situation of the Kosovar in Warsaw, Poland? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Ambassador Drilon S. Gashi, the Chief of Mission of the Consulate General of the Republic of Kosovo in Warsaw s...

What is the current political climate in Georgia? How can civic memory shape a nation’s democratic resilience? And why is political literacy more important than ever in countries on democracy’s frontlines? In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) welcomes Zaza Bibilashvili, founder and Chairman of the Chavchavadze Center in Georgia. They dive into...

Who are the challengers to the European mainstream? What are the issues that unite and divide the challengers of the European project? And what can we learn from the Italian case and Giorgia Meloni? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Teresa Coratella, the Deputy Head of the Rome office at the European Council on Foreign Relations’ (ECFR) Rome office. Tune in for their talk! Read the...

What made the U.S. a beacon for global science — and why is that now at risk? How has the Trump-era anti-science rhetoric damaged institutions of higher education and public trust? And can the EU’s Choose Europe for Science initiative fill the gap left behind? In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) welcomes journalist and author Robert Whitaker,...

Why has the Portuguese politics become volatile and fragmented? What should we know about the Portuguese politicians and their conflicts of interest? How to address the problem of the Chega party and the rise of populism in Portugal? And what is the current status of the relations between Portugal and the EU? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Ricardo Silvestre, an author and a polit...

What does growing Chinese (and Russian) influence mean for South America’s political and economic future? How are governments in the region responding to pressure from Beijing? And what role do tools like the Confucius Institutes and media influence play in shaping public opinion? Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) welcomes Marcos Falcone, Research Fellow at Fundación Libertad, and an As...

What are the main Iranian actors and their options in the conflict with Israel? Are negotiations possible? What is the legitimacy of the regime and the potential for change from within the Iranian society? And can Eastern Europe serve as an inspiration for the Iranian reformists? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Dr. Walter Posch, a trained orientalist who works as a Middle East exp...