The European People's Party is holding the first edition of the Libertas Forum this Wednesday and Thursday at the Eurostars Madrid Tower hotel, a forum on democracy, freedom, and the rule of law that brings together Alberto Núñez Feijóo, Luís Montenegro, María Corina Machado, and Keiko Fujimori, among others.
The European People's Party (EPP), chaired by the German Manfred Weber, launched the first edition of the Libertas Forum in Madrid on Wednesday, an international forum aiming to become a reference point for the debate on democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. The meeting, which will last until Thursday, gathers around twenty political leaders from Europe and Ibero-America at the Eurostars Madrid Tower hotel.
A forum born from the 50th anniversary of the EPP
The EPP's Secretary General, Dolors Montserrat, described the event as "historic" and framed it within the party's 50th anniversary. "For the first time, in Madrid, political and institutional representatives from Europe and Ibero-America will have the opportunity to share their experiences and concerns about how to defend democratic values against the rise of populism," Montserrat noted during the opening.
According to the EPP's statement, the sessions will focus on "the new world order and the global threats facing the West," including populism, autocracy, social polarization, disinformation, and the economy as a geopolitical tool. The aim, they emphasize, is to "exchange experiences and perspectives that contribute to strengthening the future of democratic institutions."
Feijóo, Montenegro, and Machado among the speakers
The president of the People's Party of Spain, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, will speak at the forum alongside the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro; the EPP Vice President and Vice President of the Italian Government, Antonio Tajani; the leader of the Venezuelan opposition, María Corina Machado; and the elected president of Peru, Keiko Fujimori, among others. The presence of these leaders will allow, according to the EPP, to "contrast different national experiences with the challenges faced by the EPP and the European Union regarding freedom, defense, democracy, the rule of law, and institutional strength."
Additionally, the forum includes participation from international organizations such as the International Democrat Union (IDU), the Centre-Right International (IDCCDI), the Union of Latin American Parties (UPLA), and the Christian Democratic Organization of America (ODCA). The EPP highlights that its experience in Europe, Africa, Ibero-America, and the United States will allow for the incorporation of "different perspectives" and responses to "shared challenges."
Madrid, the epicentre of Europe-Ibero-America dialogue
The choice of Madrid as the venue is not coincidental. The EPP believes that the Spanish capital is a "natural meeting point" between Europe and Ibero-America. "Madrid will become, for two days, the meeting point of a political community united around values with a first edition of the Forum that aims to establish itself as an international space for dialogue between Europe and Ibero-America," concludes the statement.
For the people of Madrid, the event represents an opportunity to see top political figures up close, although access is restricted to invited guests. The forum is being held at the Eurostars Madrid Tower hotel, in the Cuatro Torres Business Area, a location that has previously hosted international summits. The event, coinciding with the EPP's 50th anniversary, aims to leave a mark on the European political calendar.
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