European Liberal Forum
The European Liberal Forum is the official think tank and political foundation of the European Liberal Party (ALDE Party). This podcast brings together ideas from 56 member organisations across Europe to enrich the political debate. It serves as a discussion platform and aims to give citizens a stronger voice in European affairs. Episodes likely feature interviews, panel discussions, and policy insights from a liberal perspective.
Afleveringen
The Fight for Women's Rights in Iran with Masih Alinejad
Are women’s rights compatible with religion? How have women's rights evolved in the Islamic Republic? Has the recent conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran brought Iran any closer to freedom? And what is the endgame?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Masih Alinejad, an Iranian-American journalist and human rights activist, widely recognized as one of the most promi
The best festival of ideas (Freedom Games) 2026
In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre and Leszek Jażdżewski look ahead to Freedom Games 2026 in Łódź, where liberals, thinkers, and changemakers will gather under the theme “Tech for Humanity”.
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
Europe in the Middle East and the Mediterranean with Francesco Rocchetti
What should be a proper European response to the hybrid attacks by Russia on European territory? How should we view the post-American Middle East and its relationship with Europe? What role is Italy playing today within the EU and what are (and what should be) the country’s ambitions? And what is the current EU policy on migration?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Francesco Rocche
Strategic foresight panel at Freedom Games 2025
In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, we go to Łódź for a live recording of the panel with the title "Strategic Foresight: Identifying Risks, Threats and Opportunities for the European Union", where Leszek and Ricardo are joined on stage by Jolanta Szymańska, the Head of the European Union programme at the Polish Institute of International Affairs, and Cátia Moreira de Carvalho, a Marie C
The Scramble for Europe with Dimitar Bechev
How is a waning liberal order shifting the ground beneath Europe's feet?What does Russia’s aggressive revisionism mean for the future of European security?How is Turkey leveraging cooptation to play global powers against each other?Can Europe successfully navigate an increasingly intense strategic and economic rivalry with China?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Dimitar Bechev, th
Panel discussion in Milan on strategic vision for the EU
What can be a strategic vision for EU finance and industry moving forward?
In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social), welcomes (back) Marco Cecchi de'Rossi, and also Marianna Vintiadis and Filippo De Nicola, for a panel discussion on what the stress points are, but also the opportunities, for better decision processes in the European Union.
Mar
Türkiye, Emerging Post-American World Order, and Middle East & Europe Implications with Soli Özel
What is modern Türkiye's relationship with its republican, secularist origins of Kemal Atatürk's republic from 1923? How is the relationship between Türkiye, the United States, and the West evolving? How is Türkiye positioning itself in the region in the aftermath of the Arab Spring? And is Europe's stance toward Türkiye hypocritical?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Soli Özel, a
Housing agenda as a competitiveness tool with George Mavros
The Affordable Housing Act is about to be introduced. For a short-term rental platform like Airbnb, the housing agenda should be a competitiveness tool.
In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) continues a conversation about the upcoming Affordable Housing Act, this time with George Mavros, the Head Government Affairs & Public Policy Campaigns E
A Social Investment Framework with Marcel Roy
The Affordable Housing Act is about to be introduced. How can a social investment framework help address housing supply needs?
In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) starts a two-part conversation about the upcoming Affordable Housing Act, this time with Marcel Roy, the Secretary General European Association of Public Banks (EAPB), a Brussels-b
The Lost History of Liberalism with Helena Rosenblatt
What are the most common misconceptions about liberalism? Why has the history of liberalism as an inspirational ideal been lost? How did liberalism come to mean so many different and conflicting things? And what is the historical relationship between 'liberalism' and 'democracy'?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Helena Rosenblatt, a Distinguished Professor of history, political sc
Goliath's Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse with Luke Kemp
What makes a civilization thrive and why do civilizations collapse? Is human nature inherently good and it is actually institutions that are simply oppressive? What did Thomas Hobbes get wrong in his reasoning? And what are 'Goliaths'?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Luke Kemp, who researches the end of the world. He is the author of the bestselling book ‘Goliath’s Curse: The Hi
Completing the EU project with Strahinja Subotić
How can the European Union project continue to be built in a secure and democratic way?
In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social), welcomes Strahinja Subotić, Programme Manager and Senior Researcher at the European Policy Centre and think tank in Belgrade (EPC-Belgrade), to talk about some of the work done by EPC-Belgrade and himself on the topic
The Power of Narrative with Leonie Haiden
What structural strategies must the political center implement to effectively reclaim the future for liberal democracy? How can governance bodies connect abstract concepts to the everyday lived experiences of citizens? What distinct emotional promises allow the populist right wing to capture public dissatisfaction so effectively across Europe? And how does the algorithmic, endless design of modern
The art of execution with Radu Mihail
What is one of the key elements relatively underexplored in European competitiveness? The quality of management.
In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social), welcomes Radu Mihail, independent consultant and former Senator in Romania, who co-authored, with former MEP Vlad Botos and Vice-President of the NGO The Liberal Community Maria Ionescu, the EL
Presidential Election in France with Blanche Leridon
What should we know ahead of the 2027 presidential election in France? What topics will likely dominate the political debate ahead of the election? What has recently changed in terms of Marine Le Pen's candidacy for the president? Where does the enormous support base for the Rassemblement National come from? And what is the legacy of President Emmanuel Macron?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liber
Brussels, Moscow, and the Villages: 2026 Armenian elections with Tatev Matinyan
What message did Armenian voters actually send in the 2026 elections? And can Armenia's European path survive the disinformation, external pressure, and polarisation reshaping its politics?
Tatevik Matinyan, human rights advocate and chairperson of Armenia's Institute of Liberal Politics, joins Ricardo Silvestre to unpack the results, the propaganda playbook that echoes what we've seen in Hungary
Tech for Humanity with Gerd Leonhard
How can we make technology work for us and not the other way around? What is the difference between "algorithms" and "androrithms"? Does outsourcing thinking to AI erode people's capacity to think and leads to the rise of "super-stupidity"? And what will human agency look like in the future?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Gerd Leonhard, a top-rated futurist and a leading global
The Human Algorithm - Why proximity still matters in European finance with Annarita Morelli
What does the future of European banking actually look like, in a world of perpetual crisis, heavy regulation, and consolidating institutions?
Annarita Morelli, a strategy and governance executive who has worked on the front lines of Italy's financial system, joins Ricardo Silvestre on the Liberal Europe Podcast, to make the case for proximity banking, smarter resilience, and a financial sector t
Visegrad Is Back? with Linda Kapustová Helbichová
Is the Visegrad Group still relevant? Is it expereiencing its renaissance after Péter Magyar's win in Hungary? What is the relationship between the Visegrad countries and Ukraine? What types of projects does the International Visegrad Fund foster and what is their relevance in terms of cultural cooperation? And can civil society funding be considered as part of democratic infrastructure?
Leszek J
Beyond the White Saviour: what real partnership looks like with Rui Santos
What does real partnership between Europe and Africa actually look like in 2026?
In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre is joined by Rui Santos, CEO of CESO Development Consultants, a Portuguese firm celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and one of the most experienced implementers of European Commission projects across Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
The conversa
Surviving Chaos: Geopolitics When the Rules Fail with Mark Leonard
Does the idea of an open society still have a place in today's world? Which four exponential forces currently run the world? And how to reconcile Europe's values and vision with those of other key geopolitical players?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Mark Leonard, Co-Founder and Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), the first pan-European think–tank. Tune
White Terror: A True Story of Murders, Bombings, and Germany's Far Right with Jacob Kushner
How dangerous is the far right in Germany? What should we know about the rise of neonazi terrorism? And what is the role of the secret services in Germany?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Jacob Kushner, an international journalist who reports on migration, terrorism and violent extremism, science and global health in Africa, Germany, and the Caribbean. He is the author of "China
EU economic integration with Marco Cecchi de'Rossi
Europe has the resources, the talent, and the scale to rival the US and China — so why doesn't it act like it?
In this episode, recorded live in Milan with the Adam Smith Society, Ricardo Silvestre sits down with Marco Cecchi de'Rossi, an investment committee member at Arpinge SpA and board member at SIDAM for a wide-ranging conversation on what's really holding Europe back.
They dissect the non-
Is Europe Headed Towards a New China shock? with Sam Goodman
Is Europe walking into a new China shock? Sam Goodman — Senior Policy Director at the China Strategic Risks Institute joins Ricardo Silvestre to dissect the EU–China relationship at a moment of real turbulence. From Middle East fallout and the Strait of Hormuz, to trillion-dollar trade imbalances, Merz's first Beijing visit, Macron's tariff push, and the Commission's economic security agenda, this
Who Is Rumen Radev? with Maria Simeonova
How has the recent election transformed the Bulgarian political scene? What will be the European priorities of the newly formed government? What is Rumen Radev's main message? And what was his secret that helped him ensure a win?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Maria Simeonova, the Head of the Sofia office at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). Her areas of focus i
Political digital communication with Ahmed Kosovac
What does it take to communicate politics in a world shaped by algorithms, memes, and constant online dialogue?
In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre sits down with Ahmed Kosovac,Marketing Communications Team Lead at Naša stranka and Council Member at Općina Novo Sarajevo, to unpack how digital platforms and AI are transforming the way politics is practiced and understo
Is Digital Sovereignty (Still) Possible? with José Ignacio Torreblanca
Can Europe attain digital sovereignty? What are the limits of the EU's regulatory power? Is the dichotomy between sovereignty and a colony unavoidable? And what is Europe's digital grand strategy?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Dr José Ignacio Torreblanca, a Senior Adviser and Distinguished Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Tune in the for their talk!
What's Next, Hungary? - with Andrea Virag
What do Hungary’s latest election results tell us about the future of liberal politics in the country?
Looking beyond the results, Andrea Virag, Director of Strategy at the Republican Institute in Budapest, joins this week's host, Ricardo Silvestre, to examine the broader picture, from the role of civil society to the future of liberal forces in the political arena, and what it will realistically
The End of the Orbán-Era? with Edit Zgut-Przybylska
What is the expected outcome of the upcoming parliamentary election in Hungary? What are opposition leader Péter Magyar's chances of winning? Will this be the end of the Orbán-era? Will there be any attempts at rigging the election? And if the Tisza party wins, what direction will it adopt toward the European Union and Ukraine? And how will the election influence the future of Europe?
Leszek Jazd
Reversed Enlargement and Pooled Veto is the Key to Europe's Future? - Interview with Emil Kirjas
What’s really holding back EU enlargement ? Could new ideas like a “pooled veto” reshape how decisions are made in Europe? And what happens when EU integration starts to reverse?
In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) welcomes back Emil Kirjas, Vice President at Liberal International and founder of Kirjas Global Ltd. Together, they discuss the
Europe in the Age of Global Uncertainty with Jacob Funk Kirkegaard
How does the war in Iran affect Europeans? What is the impact of the Greenland issue on the Danish view of NATO and the transatlantic alliance? Should the Nordic countries acquire nuclear weapons? And what does Europe's path to competitiveness look like?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, a Senior Fellow at Bruegel in Brussels and at the Peterson Institute for
Ukraine in the 5th Year of a Full-Scale War with Anna Zakletska
In the 5th year of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, how is the civil society in Ukraine currently faring? Is the Ukrainian identity under pressure? What is the impact of the war on the mental health of people, particularly children? And what should we know about paganism?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Anna Zakletska, a Ukrainian television and radio presenter, a host
The Implementation of Draghi Report with Dr.Antonios Nestoras
In this episode of the podcast, Ricardo Silvestre from Movimento Liberal Social welcomes back Dr. Antonios Nestoras, founder and director of the European Policy Innovation Council (EPIC), a Brussels-based policy think movement. Together, they discuss the implementation of the Draghi Report on European competitiveness and explore its broader political implications for Europe. The conversation exami
Renew Europe at the Committee of Regions with Sean O'Curneen
Cities and regions are where European politics meets everyday life. In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) welcomes Sean O'Curneen, Secretary-General of Renew Europe at the Committee of the Regions. Together they explore why the Committee of the Regions matters for Europe’s democracy, how liberals are shaping its work, the impact of liberal lead
Democratic Protests and Civil Society in Iran with Touska Gholami Khaljiri
How is the Iranian society coping with the crackdown on the protests? What is the current state of the regime and its prospects for the future? Who is Reza Pahlavi and what might be his role in the near future? And how do Iranians view the U.S. intervention in their affairs?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Touska Gholami Khaljiri, an Iranian women’s and children’s rights activis
Supporting Civil Society with Raquel Hermida-van der Walle
Civil society is the backbone of democracy: citizens organizing to defend freedoms, strengthen their communities, and hold power accountable. Yet across Europe and beyond, this space is increasingly under pressure. What begins as calls for “transparency” can quickly turn into efforts to discredit and defund independent organizations. At a time of geopolitical instability and democratic backsliding
Is European Sovereignty a Real Possibility? with Olaf Osica
What is the future, if any, of the transatlantic relationship? Where do we stand on European sovereignty versus President Donald Trump? What should we know about the 'brave new world order' proposed by Canadian PM Mark Carney? Should Europe try to keep the United States on board as long as possible or mobilize against it? And is Europe ready for a war on multiple fronts given its internal challeng
Liberal Europe Podcast in 2026 with Leszek and Ricardo
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
Trump, Putin and the EU, with MEP Helmut Brandstätter
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 rea
One year of Draghi Report with Jeannette Baljeu
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 exam
One Resource to Rule Them All with Sven Gerst
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 Economi
Total Defense in Europe: What Is It and Why Do We Need It? with Helena Quis
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 tota
Electric Grids for Europe's Energy Independence with Eloi Borgne
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
The Future of Independent Journalism and Public Interest Information with Patrice Schneider
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 I
Food security and CAP with Jelte Wiersma
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
The Return of History to the Present with Luuk van Middelaar
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
Security and Defence of the Black Sea with Amb. Batu Kutelia
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.
Ricar
EU: From Soft to Hard Power? - Discussion with Goran Buldioski
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
Trumping Democracy with Samuel Issacharoff
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
Freedom Games 2025 with Leszek and Ricardo
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 rea
Can We Build Consensus on Climate Policy? with Susi Dennison
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 C
Liberalism Sexy again at Freedom Games 2024 with Aleksandra Kot
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
Liberalism Is Not Quite Dead Yet with Jan-Werner Müller
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 th
European wind power with Daniel Lindvall
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 decarbon
Parliamentary Election in the Czech Republic with Martin Ehl
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 Effective Is Justice System Across Europe? with Georgios Archontas
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 M
Trump’s Gambit with Piotr Buras
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
Migrant entrepreneurship with Roxana Nicula
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 t
Kosovo on the Global Stage with Drilon S. Gashi
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 Wars
Civic memory and political literacy in Georgia with Zaza Bibilashvili
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 int
Can Populists Take Over the European Project? with Teresa Coratella
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 t
The future of science with Robert Whitaker
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
Portuguese Politics Explained with Ricardo Silvestre
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 poli
Chinese (and Russian) influence in South America with Marcos Falcone
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 A
Insights on the Iranian Regime and Society with Walter Posch
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 ex
Nuclear energy in Europe with Manuel Ordóñez
What role should nuclear energy play in Europe's transition to a cleaner, more secure energy future? As the continent works to meet its climate goals while navigating rising energy demands and geopolitical instability, nuclear is once again part of the conversation.
In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) speaks with Manuel Fernández Ordóñez, Dir
War Against Human Rights with Oleksandra Matviichuk
What is the role of human rights advocacy in a full-scale Russian war in Ukraine? What part do Europeans play in this struggle? And how to fight the growing sense of indifference?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Oleksandra Matviichuk, a human rights defender who works on issues in Ukraine and the OSCE region. She heads the human rights organization Center for Civil Liberties, whi
Future-proofing the EU Budget with Lukas Sustala
How do we build a European budget that’s fit for the future?
In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social) sits down with Lukas Sustala, Political Director of NEOS and head of the NEOS Lab think tank, to dive into the ELF-NEOS Lab publication “Future-proofing the European Budget.” Together, they explore how the EU budget has evolved, what’s holding it
Germany at the Crossroads with Klaus Bachmann
Could the AFD party come to power in Germany? What would it mean for the German democracy and Europe? Why is the current historical narrative of the Bundesrepublik becoming useless? And what will be the identity of Germany in the future?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Klaus Bachmann, Professor of Political Science at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (SWPS) in W
Turkey, EU and Russia triangle with Elif Menderes
How does Turkey navigate its strategic balancing act between Russia and the EU? Turkey stands at a geopolitical crossroads between Moscow’s influence, Brussels’ expectations, and its own shifting ambitions. In this episode, we dive into how Turkey manages its complex relationships with both Russia and the European Union, what “strategic autonomy” really means, and how domestic politics play into g
Who Will Win the Polish Presidential Election? with Adam Jasser
What does the forthcoming presidential election in Poland mean for Europe? What are the main issues and divisions between the candidates that occur in the ongoing campaign? And how will the election result influence the current government and its policy?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Adam Jasser, an economic and political analyst with 30 years of professional experience as a jo
Radical populism with Juan Pina
Why are voters turning to radical populists, even when their promises threaten the very foundations of democracy? In this episode, Juan Pina, Secretary General of the Foundation for the Advancement of Liberty, dives deep into the rise of radical populism. He explains why this isn’t just a fringe movement but a fundamental challenge to democratic norms, fuelled by powerful external influences and s
Mass Student Protests in Serbia with Ivan Vejvoda
Why are students protesting in Serbia? What are the social and political reasons for the upheaval? What is the state of the Serbian democracy? Is the European Union choosing interests over values? And should we fear the recent geopolitical tensions in the Balkans?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Ivan Vejvoda, Permanent fellow at the IWM. Ivan is the head of Europe’s Futures progr
Taiwan in the EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy with Laia Comerma
Despite shared democratic values and growing trade ties, the EU continues to treat Taiwan as a “second-tier partner”, prioritizing economic engagement over political or security commitments. The EU’s balancing act between Taiwan and China remains a central challenge, with diverging views among member states complicating a unified approach.
In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Si
The state of the resistence in Georgia, with Nino Kalandadze
In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social), welcomes back Amb. Nino Kalandadze, founder and executive director of the Chavchavadze Center in Tbilisi, Georgia. They talk about the situation on the country, the courage of Georgians fighting for a better future, and what we can all do to help.
This podcast is produced by the European Liberal Forum in
Presidential Elections in Romania with Georgiana Gheorghe
Why were the presidential elections in Romania annulled? Who was behind the TikTok campaign of Călin Georgescu? And what is the state of democracy in Romania ahead of the repeated elections?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Georgiana Gheorghe, the Executive Director of APADOR-CH, a leading human rights organization based in Bucharest, Romania. Tune in for their talk!
This podcast
Defending Europe Without the United States with Guntram B. Wolff
What should we know about Europe’s defense industry? What capabilities does Europe need to develop to deter the Russian aggression? What are the consequences of the German debt brake reform? And is a common European defense single market possible?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Guntram B. Wolff, a Senior fellow at Bruegel. He is also a Professor of Economics at the Université li
Beyond the Battlefield: The Power of Ukraine’s Civil Society with Dr. Svitlana Kovalchuk
What does it take to keep a democracy alive in the midst of war? What happens when a nation’s fate rests not only on soldiers and politicians but on the courage of its people?
In this episode of the Liberal Europe Podcast, Ricardo Silvestre (Movimento Liberal Social), talks with Dr Svitlana Kovalchuk, the Executive Director at Yalta European Strategy (YES) where she shares how Ukraine’s civil so
The Transatlantic Rift with Matthew Kaminski
Is Donald Trump's presidency the beginning of a new era in the global world order? What is there to know about economic disruption and globalization in this context? And is the European Union overreacting in its response to the recent events or rather attempting to 'make Europe great again'?
Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Matthew Kaminski, POLITICO's Editor-at-Large, writing re
Future of EU and Austria with MEP Anna Stürgkh
Liberal Europe Podcast host Ricardo Silvestre talks to Austrian liberal MEP Anna Stürgkh who shares her journey from Austria to the European Parliament, her passion for the European Union, and her work on energy security and reform. We also dive into pressing issues like the future of Europe, the rise of populism, and the importance of delivering on Europe's promises to its citizens.
This podcast
