European Liberal Forum

We are kicking off the new season of the Liberal Europe Podcast with a thought-provoking conversation between our two hosts, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) and Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!). They talk about the animated start of 2026, the transatlantic relationship, a new world order, and what is on tap for one more year of episodes.  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 happens when Europe’s traditional allies start to drift and its adversaries grow bolder? In this episode, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) is joined by Helmut Brandstätter, Member of the European Parliament and author of Trump, Putin and Their Puppets. The conversation explores how shifting power dynamics between Washington, Moscow, and Europe are reshaping the EU’s strategic reality. From the erosion of the transatlantic partnership to Russia’s hybrid warfare and disinformation campaigns, this episode digs into what these developments mean for European democracy, security, and sovereignty. 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 has the European Union actually done with the Draghi Report, and what still remains politically unresolved? In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, host Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) welcomes back Member of the European Parliament and ELF Board Member Jeannette Baljeu for a reflective conversation one year after the publication of the Draghi Report. Together, they examine how the European Parliament has translated Mario Draghi’s recommendations into concrete political action, where momentum has stalled, and what structural obstacles remain. The discussion also explores the idea of the EU balancing ambition with political realism in a rapidly changing geopolitical and economic landscape. 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 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 Thought for Today’s European Geoeconomics” in Issue #06 of the ELF’s Future of Europe Journal: Securing the Essentials in a Turbulent World – Geopolitics of Resources. Tune in for their conversation on the chapter’s main thesis and the central role of human ingenuity. 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 it.

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 defense and civil preparedness. 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 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 building a flexible, resilient, and future-proof European grid. Together with the host Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) they look at the political tensions around cross-border connections, the lessons from the Iberian blackout, and what a stronger, more connected Energy Union could mean for Europe’s security.  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 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 Investment Fund. He started as a war correspondent in 1980s conflict zones, then spent two decades in media management at Hachette and Time Warner — a transition that proved surprisingly relevant. For 23 years at the Media Development Investment Fund, he has channeled that early idealism into pragmatic action — co-designing impact investment vehicles for independent media and mobilizing €171 million to fight media capture across emerging democracies. He is now turning his focus on building something entirely new: a lab reimagining public interest information that supports any form of public interest information that serves democratic sense-making. 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.

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 fertilizer shortages to CAP reform debates, Wiersma offers a clear and grounded look at the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of European agriculture. 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 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 Brussels Institute for Geopolitics. A political theorist, historian, and author of the prizewinning The Passage to Europe (2013), he recently published Le Réveil géopolitique de l’Europe (2022), Pandemonium (2021) and Alarums and Excursions (2019), groundbreaking accounts of the Union’s crisis politics. 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.

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. Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) talks to Ambassador Batu Kutelia, Senior Fellow at the Delphi Global Research Center and former Ambassador of Georgia to the United States, ahead of the Black Sea Security Conference in Sofia. Together, they discuss the strategic importance of the Black Sea, NATO’s role in ensuring regional security, and the urgent need for democratic resilience in the face of authoritarian expansion. 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.

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 youth showing the greatest reluctance. Pro-democratic parties must respond decisively. Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) talks to Goran Buldioski, co-author of ELF's Policy Paper 'From Soft to Hard Power - Several strategies for European liberals to prepare to defend their country and the continent'. 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.

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 the NYU School of Law. He is a leading figure in the study of democracy, constitutions, and the courts, and is the author of Fragile Democracies: Contested Power in the Era of Constitutional Courts and, more recently, Democracy Unmoored: Populism and the Corruption of Popular Sovereignty. He also is a leading figure in the field of procedure and complex litigation, and served as the reporter for the American Law Institute’s Principles of Aggregate Litigation. He served as a senior legal advisor to the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama and has long experience as an appellate advocate in American courts. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.. 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 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 reacting to crises and how Europe can turn instability into opportunity. They unpacking the rise of populism, Trump’s shadow over transatlantic politics, and Europe’s growing role as a hub for science, innovation, and democratic resilience. 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 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 Chief of Staff to the Director and leads the European Power programme as well as the organizational growth and transformation process. Her topics of focus include strategy, politics and cohesion in European foreign policy; climate and energy, migration, and the toolkit for Europe as a global actor. 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.

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 a bit of fun. 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 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 thought. He also has research interests in the relationship between architecture and politics, as well as the normative implications of the current structural transformations of the public sphere. 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 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 decarbonisation, energy security, and economic growth. They explore the challenges communities face when projects are developed nearby, from local resistance and fairness concerns to the role of community benefits, taxation, and combating disinformation—while outlining key policy recommendations to strengthen acceptance of renewable energy across 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.

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 and writer, a reporter of Czech economic daily Hospodářské noviny (hn.cz) since 2001; since January of 2006 till June 2018 Chief International Editor, now Chief Analyst. He was previously working in various Czech written media since 1992. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Visegrad Insight (visegradinsight.eu), and a council member of the European Council on Foreign Relations. He is covering primarily Central Europe, transatlantic relations, security issues, and business related to defense and energy. 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 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 Measuring Quality and Perceptions Leading to Better Administration. Together, they discuss how improving the quality of justice and addressing public perceptions can lead to stronger institutions and better governance across 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.

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 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.