![Spain, Italy, Portugal](/sites/default/files/styles/uv_banner_crop/public/2021-01/southeurope.png.webp?itok=nXZ4P05-)
Spain, Italy, Portugal :
The Madrid office seeks to strengthen cooperation and political dialogue between representatives from liberal political parties, scientific institutions and civil society organisations from Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany and the European sphere. We are committed to help contribute to solutions for specific regional challenges in Southern Europe and highlight best practices from this ever more important region for the European integration
process.
News
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José María Peredo Pombo
Europe without the Mediterranean
A few days before the start of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) summit in Vilnius, the incessant arrival of boats in Lampedusa once again overwhelmed the capacity of the reception centres, where more than 2,000 migrants were concentrated after having survived the Mediterranean. Focused on the war in Ukraine, the Alliance has been seemingly more detached from the problems of the so-called southern flank. Although European and American leaders are well aware that Euro-Atlantic security is increasingly complex in today's changing international order.
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Manuel Triano
Analysis of the situation and challenges of the Spanish Presidency in Europe
The early general elections in Spain – announced by President Pedro Sanchez the morning after the results of the regional elections – present a complicated scenario for the country. The conservative “People’s Party” (PP), achieved victories in major capitals, including historically social-democratic strongholds, such as Seville. Meanwhile, the left-wing populist party, “Unidas Podemos”, suffered setbacks, disappearing from influential cities across the country.
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José Ángel Pedraza
Autonomy or control? The debate on intelligence services
Democratic societies need to strike a balance between the autonomy required by intelligence services for their proper functioning, and the necessary control of their activity by the executive, legislative and judicial powers.
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Carlos Garzarán
Keynote lecture: "The control of secret services in democratic societies"; with the participation of Kostantin Kuhle, member of the German parliament.
"The balance between the needs of secret services and the protection of fundamental rights in liberal democracies is the challenge facing European intelligence." In an increasingly complex and constantly evolving society, understanding the reality of intelligence services becomes crucial. In this regard, we were privileged to attend a truly eye-opening day in which seven leading experts shared their experience and knowledge.
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Rahel Zibner
United for freedom in Southern Europe
FNF Madrid and various partner organizations of the foundation have launched in a festive inauguration ceremony the new network for ideas and impact in Southern Europe. The “Free³ Network” unites liberal think tanks from Spain, Italy and Portugal for the common goal of promoting freer societies and economic growth through intensified cooperation. The launch event in Madrid “underlines the importance of Spain and the country's capital as an engine of growth, employment and social progress in Southern Europe," said David Henneberger, FNFs country director in Spain.
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David Henneberger
Index of Economic Freedom of Spanish Cities ILECE 2023
The Foundation for the Advancement of Liberty (FUNDALIB), together with FNF Madrid and ATLAS Network have awarded the capital city of the Canary Islands as the economically freest city of Spain in 2023! Alicante and Almería come in on number two and three. Through their annual index of economic liberty on a municipal level, FUNDALIB sheds a light on important indicators such as the tax burden, the size of local governments and red tape. Santa Cruz benefits from low municipal taxes, i.e. a very competitive construction tax, and serious efforts to lighten the bureaucratic burden for citizens and companies alike.