“What does it take to become a leader in Europe?”
Veldemani, Estonia
December 13-17 2006
DEMYC Christmas – Winter School took place in the country side of Estonia. The participants stayed in a house surrounded by the forest and the lake. A magnificent environment, much good will and positive spirit – the best combination to give out pleasant work and constructive outcomes along with much fun and a unique experience.
 
The program started with the participants bringing out their expectations from the Winter School, all of which were admittedly fulfilled. Later on, the participants had a training session in Successful Speech and Presentation Skills, by the trainer Uve Poom. The training was based on interactive workshops and was concluded by the participants giving speeches to the camera and accepting feedback from each other.
On the second day, the participants took part in workshops prepared by DEMYC vice-chairmen Costas Papachlimintzos and Tomas Jisra on how to write a press release and how to plan a political campaign respectively.
The simulation game on campaigning was one of the highlights of the Winter School. Each participant had a role to play in a set up scenario on national elections in a country. It involved preparation of the parties’ program and campaign, giving out press releases, presentation at press conference, reactions to the media, T.V. debate, negotiations and elections of forming a government. All the skills that the participants acquired during the Winter School had to be applied. Some of the participants used those in a very successful, impressive and innovative way.
Undoubtedly, the participants left Estonia with much practical knowledge on how to become a successful future leader and the much appreciated and inspiring advice by Mart Laar, former Prime-Minister of Estonia and most likely future one as well: to be different and dear to make changes.
 
the International Exhibition | From the Estonian evening
Apart from the workshops and lectures, the participants had the chance to present their own organizations projects and campaigns and exchange ideas on them in the DEMYC Member Organization International Exhibition. There, people had the chance to taste food, drinks, pictures and ideas from each country. The Estonian flare was very pleasant in the Estonian evening, where participants had a traditional dinner and danced traditional Estonian dances. The Estonian sauna gave a special touch to the whole Winter School and made the event unique and unforgettable.
Group shot
Visit the photo album for pictures from the seminar.
The democracy status of the world is a variable that changes over time. A project comparing the level of democracy in the world is always interesting. Please read the comparison in the World States Democracy Index for 2007 prepared by Laza Kekic, Director of Country Forecasting Services, The Economist Intelligence Unit.
 Download: DEMOCRACY_INDEX_2007_v3.pdf (100 KB)
The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED)
monitored the October 5, 2006 Local Self-Government Elections of
Georgia in 75 local election district and all election precincts of
the country.
Therefore ISFED presents final report on Monitoring the October 5,
2006 Local Self-Government Elections. Download ISFED’s
final report in English and a statement from New Rights Party of Georgia here:
Download: ISFED Monitoring Report on Local Self-government E.pdf (341 KB)
Download: Boycott-Eng.pdf (84 KB)
The 9th Parliamentary or Saeima elections in Latvia were held on Saturday, October 7, 2006. There were in total 19 parties and unions that submitted their candidate lists from July 19 till August 8. In the 9th Saeima elections seats in the parliament were gained by 7 candidate lists of parties and associations of parties:
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Peoples’ Party (23 seats)
"Union of the Green and Farmers" (18 seats)
New Era (18 seats)
Concord Centre (17 seats)
Electoral union of Latvia first party and party Latvian way (10 seats)
Latvian National Conservative Union “For Fatherland and Freedom”/LNNK (8 seats)
"For human rights in united Latvia" (6 seats) |
After a consultations and discussions it was decided to make a coalition consisting of People’s Party, “Union of the Green and Farmers” and Electoral union of Latvia first party and party Latvian way, that all together made the majority of votes in Saeima – 51 out of 100. But still this vantage was rather unstable and not enough, especially voting for significant questions. That is why after serious debates, already existing coalition invited the fourth partner – Latvian National Conservative Union “For Fatherland and Freedom”/LNNK. The rest of the parties, including New Era, are working in opposition.
All together 60,08 % of Latvian citizens eligible to vote participated in the elections, unfortunately it was one of the lowest percentage of citizens participating in elections since Latvia regained its independence. But still these elections actually proved the statement made by several observers and researchers of political situation in Latvia, that Latvian society vote for existing and known parties, not for the newcomers.
Madara Berzina
Adoption of the new Constitution, with a necessary 50% in order for the Referendum to be validated, is of vital importance for the stabilization of the democratic transformation process of the Serbian society. The significance lies in the fact that six years after the fall of Milosevic, constitution which had been adopted at the beginning of his regime has finally changed.
Although Serbia has already stepped out of the frame of the previous constitution when it comes to implemented economic and social reforms, the entire organization of the governmental structure in accordance with European democratic standards would not be possible without changing this basic act.
Adoption of the constitution also proves the democratic maturity of Serbian society.
Since the fall of Milosevic in 2000, there has been much talk of the need of a new constitution in Serbia. This has led to the broad political consensus in supporting this fundamental law, and was firstly adopted by Serbian Parliament, the end of September. The majority of total electorate ( 6.5330.000 registered voters in Serbia of which 53,04% voted at the referendum) approved the new constitution. The Referendum took place during the negotiations on the final status of Kosovo and Metohija, autonomous province in the southern Serbia. Some foreign medias even stated that this was the Referendum on resolving the status of Kosovo and Metohija by Serbian side. That is why negative critics accused Serbia of adopting such a constitution just to influence the outcome of the Kosovo and Metohija status negotiations, and took advantage of the Preamble which describes Kosovo and Metohija as an integral part of Serbia’s territory.
Yet, two important facts are forgotten: First, this part of the Preamble is fully in accordance with the UN Resolution 1244 of the Security Council, and second, in the same part of the Preamble, the status for Kosovo and Metohija is described as “essential autonomy”. Beside these facts, another thing is neglected: In Serbian constitution, there is no such statement which would show any kind of territorial aspiration when it comes to returning to the conditions before signing the UN Resolution in June, 1999.
This is why, every encouraging and friendly relation towards Serbia, would automatically mean support for the new Constitution. For the delight of the Serbian citizens, this support is expressed by European Union and other relevant International factors.
Mia Magazin
DEMYC Vice-Chairman
Download the result from the parliamentary elections in the Netherlands 22 November 2006
Download: Netherlands-election-result.pdf (57 KB)
Tuesday's Plenary saw Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili address MEPs and tell them that EU entry is "a distant goal". European Commission President Barroso later presented to the House his 2007 priorities - with economic growth and climate change being key. Parliament will put his programme to the vote in December. MEPs also debated a report giving consumers more choice in the mortgages market. They also want to restrict the sale of mercury - but want exceptions for antiques and barometers.
EU membership a "distant goal" Georgian President tells MEPs
In his introductory remarks Parliament's President Josep Borrell praised the hopes of the 2003 "Rose revolution" and called for Russia to stop exerting pressure on its neighbour.
President Saakashvili recalled how he met his wife while in Strasbourg (where the Parliament is based) while studying human rights. As well as finding love he also learned after his experiences growing up in the USSR that the "state protects, not persecutes - what a revelation!"
He thanked Parliament and the EU for their support and for a resolution on 26 October rejecting breakaway tendencies in parts of Georgia. He said the willingness of the EU to accept former Soviet states had "strengthened peace and democracy". On Georgia's EU aspirations he said they were a "distant goal" but the principles of the Union provided an inspiration for reform.
Mr Saakashvili told MEPs of his reform strategy: promote democracy, fight corruption, increase revenue and protect Georgia's territorial integrity. He called recent Russian economic curbs on Georgia an "economic blockade" and called for "diplomacy and discussion".
Read the speech in full
 
 
DEMYC was represented at the European Youth Forum General Assembly by the chairman Ines Prainsack and the deputy secretary general Effie Gavriel. The event was held in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, between 9-12 November. The General Assembly elected the new Bureau of the EYF, discussed the new directions and policy papers of the EYF and approved its new strategic priorities.
DEMYC Chairwoman Ines Prainsack with the newly elected EYF President Bettina SCHWARZMAYR
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At the G.A., the DEMYC delegates introduced and promoted to other participating organizations what DEMYC stands for. Further, there was a very positive cooperation between DEMYC and other likeminded organizations like YEPP and EDS.
On the side of the G.A, Ms Prainsack and Ms Gavriel had the chance to meet with members of JKL, the Lithuanian member organization of DEMYC.
 
The Young Conservative League (JKL) have the following appeal in regard to the conviction of Dmiter Dashkevic, who have been imprisoned for 1.5 years.
 Download: JKL Appeal concerning conviction of Belarus You.pdf (259 KB)
Alexander Milinkevich is this year's winner of the Sakharov Prize. The Conference of Presidents - the political groups' leaders of the European Parliament - decided to award the prize for freedom of thought to the leader of the opposition in Belarus.
Milinkevich stood in presidential elections last March, the results of which were condemned by the EU and the US. At an opposition rally protesting the results, Milinkevich was arrested and held for 15 days. In February, the Belarus opposition leader visited the European Parliament and asked MEPs for their support, but a delegation of MEPs wishing to monitor the elections were refused entry by the Belarus authorities. Milinkevich is 59 years old and studied physics and mathematics in France, Germany and the US. He was deputy mayor of his home town Hrodna in the early nineties.
The Sakharov Prize will be awarded during a formal plenary session of Parliament on 13 December. The prize comes with a certificate and a cheque for €50,000.
Read Kati Käpp's coverage on the Presidential Elections in Estonia
Download the report on the recent developements in Hungary this October by Jozsef Szajer MEP, EPP-ED Hungary.
Download: 06-Hungary Report October 2006.pdf (233 KB)
The IYDU event, the 2006 Council Meeting being held in London from 29 November to 3 December 2006. The event is open to all Conservative and center right parties from around the World, including all DEMYC members.
The Pro Patria and Res Publica Union ( EPP-ED) has submitted documents to the Estonian NGOs' and foundations' register for registration of the merged center-right political party.
The party's secretary general, Margus Tsahkna, told that the documents were entered on Monday and that under law the new party has to be registered within two weeks.
"On our part the merger of the parties has been successfully completed with the entry of the documents," Tsahkna said.
The general assemblies of the Pro Patria Union and Res Publica endorsed the merger on June 4 this year, after the governing boards had decided in favor of it in early April.
The policy-making council of Estonia's uniting Pro Patria and Res Publica Union has chosen Mr. Margus Tsahkna for the party's secretary-general.
"The merger process has successfully reached the end. Now we need to bring our programmatic views to people's awareness to show what we stand for politically and give them an opportunity to vote for us in the parliamentary election," spokespeople for the party quoted Tsahkna as saying.
On Saturday council confirmed former Prime Minister Mart Laar as the party's prime minister candidate.
The prime minister candidate will head the party till a congress next spring.
Kaja Sõrg
DEMYC Vice-chairman
If you feel concerned and are interested in recent tense relations between Russia and Georgia, you can visit the following web-site http://www.support-georgia.com/ and sign the petition supporting Georgia.
Thousands of people from different countries have already made their comment and signed the petition.
Mantvidas Juozapavicius
Former DEMYC Vice-chairman
Results of the Bulgarian presidential elections 22 October 2006
Download: Bulgaria Elections 2006.pdf (50 KB)
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Last September 8th, Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the UMP and probable candidate in the next French presidential election, made in Brussels an important speech on the future of the European Union. He presents his European roadmap on the assumption that it would win the election. Please find attached the text of his speech (in French, English and German), which aroused a very great interest within the EPP and the governments of the Member States. | Download: Nicolas Sarkozy - Speech - Brussels - October 8.pdf (57 KB)
Read the report of the PM elections by Mia Magazin, DEMYC Vice-chairman
Autumn according to the calendar but definitely summer weather wise, that was the time when DEMYC members held their last meeting on the sunny island of Cyprus. The hot topic gave rise to an interesting debate and the lectures tackled topics like the economic consequences of the crisis on the business sector, the oil industry and tourism, the humanitarian aspect, the role of Europe, etc. The Executive Committee unanimously voted on a Resolution regarding the situation in the Middle East, which can be found on the DEMYC website. As it was a summer-school, the lectures and discussions were followed by plenty of time for leisure activities, relaxation on the beach and much fun. The participants had the chance to experience the Cypriot culture in terms of food, entertainment and traditional dancing. DEMYC would like to thank NEDISY once more for the great summer school they offered us!
The Youth League of the Coalition Party (Kokoomuksen Nuorten Liitto) were accepted as full members of DEMYC on the 103rd DEMYC Executive Committee Meeting, 23rd of September 2006 in Larnaca, Cyprus. But KNL is an old “acquaintance” of DEMYC because KNL actually were one of the founding fathers of DEMYC in 1964, so it was with great pleasure that the DEMYC Executive Committee could welcome KNL back in DEMYC.
In the picture you see the KNL-delegation to the DEMYC summer school.
From left: Jani Johansson(Member of International Committee), Antti Ahonen(International Secretary), Helvi-Iiris Juurinen(Secretary of local KNL branch of Riihimäki)
Download: DEMYCApplicationFormKNL.pdf (35 KB)
Download: KNL political principles.pdf (37 KB)
Download: KNL rules.pdf (37 KB)
DEMYC Chairwoman Ines Prainsack visited the YEPP Chairmens Conference 2006 taking place in Mallorca
Gathered in Copenhagen, Denmark on June 2nd 2006 the 102nd DEMYC Executive Comittee Meeting adopted the following resolution on the Visa Barriers of the European Union
Resolution on Visa Barriers
Download: Resolution Visa Barriers.pdf (80 KB)
DEMYC would like to thank the KU-Team for the great work preparing and organising the DEMYC Seminar “How to increase involvement in democratic decision-making” that took place in Copenhagen, Denmark during the week of 1-4 June 2006.
The KU-Team:
 
 
 
From the top: Kasper Hülsen (KU Chairman), Martin Seebach (KU International Secretary), Mette A. Jakobsen (Member), Mikkel Wrang (Former KU International Secretary), Thomas Sørensen (Member)
Withouth the assistance of the KU-Team the Copenhagen-seminar would not have been possible!
e seminar “How to increase involvement in democratic decision-making” was held in Copenhagen, Denmark 1-4 June 2006. This article features the photoreport and downloads of presentations, the work group paper etc.
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DEMYC Secretary General Lasse Krull was invited by the International Commision of Junge Union to visit them in the great Hansestadt Lübeck.
The visit resulted in stronger relations to our friends in Germany. |
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During the seminar in Copenhagen Pro Patria Union gathered for their Annual Meeting. DEMYC Chairwoman Ines Prainsack sends her warm wishes on behalf of DEMYC.
The International Young Democrat Union is hosting Freedom Forum 2006: The Reagan Legacy at the Reagan Ranch near Santa Barbara, California, USA from 17 to 20 August 2006. The event is open to all centre right parties from around the world including all DEMYC members.
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DEMYC Vicechairman Pall Heimisson visited the KU Congress in the weekend of 17-19 March. The report from the visit is now available for download. For election results please read this article by Martin Seebach, KU | Download the report here: Download: 2006-KU-Congress.pdf (31 KB)
For more photos, go to the KU Website
Tomar Tidhar reports on the general elections in Israel March 28.
DEMYC has over the years always had focus on the situation in Belarus. In the coming weeks we will extend this focus with a new website www.freebelarus.org this page will be extended with first-hand knowledge from our friends in Belarus, who are at the moment fighting for a better life and all the basic freedoms we often take for granted in the West. Read more about the new page on www.freebelarus.org and please also feel free to send in material for this homepage.
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From 30th of March to 2nd of April the new DEMYC Team had its first meeting in Prague and during the meeting the bureau outlined the strategy of DEMYC and a whole new work plan, which will be presented at the next DEMYC executive meeting. After the work plan have been presented it will be published on www.demyc.org. |
News from Greece on the student elections 5th of April.
The DEMYC Secretary General Lasse Krull represented DEMYC at the KNL (youth of the national coalition party of Finland) Winter Games in Himos North of Helsinki in Finland. The winter games is the biggest event of KNL and gathers around 300 young people every year in april.
Lasse gave a presentation about DEMYC and also spoke at the KNL Europe-club about the Mohammed-drawings.
On the picture you see the DEMYC Secretary General Lasse Krull and KNL chairman Tuomas Nurmela
On the picture you see the Estonian delegation, Janne Pesonen (KNL), Tuomas Nurmela (KNL), MEP Piia-Nora Kauppi and Lasse Krull (DEMYC).
We as DEMYC want to congratulate the newly elected chairwoman of JKL, Radvile Morkunaite. We are looking forward in continuing our good cooperation and wish her and her team lots of success for her future work in JKL and all the best for this new challenge.
Read more on www.jkl.lt
Report on the Parlamentary elections in Ukraine by Andrij Vitrenko, YR
On 4th of April the leadership of Pro Patria and Res Publica approved uniting of two parties, the new party will be named as Erakond Eesti Eest ( Pro Estonia Party).
On the press-conferece the leaders of Pro Patria and Res Publica stated that until June 2007 the new party will have two leaders, then the general assembly will elect a new chairman, who might be either Tõnis Lukas, who is now leader of Pro Patria or Taavi Veskimägi, the leader of Res Publica.
This new right-conservative party has set up the goals - to win the parliamentary elections of 2007.
Pro Patria Union and Res Publica are both members of EPP. The Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering warlmy welcomed the decision with a following comment: When there are too many players on the political scene, competition between like-minded parties becomes particularly confusing for voters and often results in victory for the opposite camp. That's why I am very happy to see that your cooperation has led to a merger, enabling you to carry on your visions as one.
Kaja Sõrg
DEMYC Vice-Chairman
On Friday the 24th of March 2006, NUU (Nordic Young Conservative Union) held their general meeting in Oslo, Norway.
Kasper Hülsen (KU, Denmark) was elected new president of the organisation and Antti Ahonen (KNL, Finland) was elected vice-president. Furthermore Lisbeth Sejer Goetzsche (KU, Denmark) was elected Secretary General.
The Follow organisations are members of NUU: MUF Sweden, UHL Norway, KU Denmark, KNL Finland and SUS Iceland.
Martin Seebach, International Secretary KU reports on the election of a new board in the danish memberorganisation KU.
Here we presents a set of news of what has been happening in Belarus during the
electoral campaign of the year 2006 including today's massacre when against peaceful
protestures in Belarus smoke granades, noice making explosives and tear gas were used.
Dear Members,
Activists and volunteers of the European Youth Forum Member Organisations in Belarus have been arrested for participating in peaceful protests. The European Youth Forum condemns this violation of Human Rights and Democracy and encourages everyone to express their rejection to these actions and solidarity with the arrested young people. We call for the immediate release for everyone hold in custody.
The European Youth Forum supports as well the deported Danish and Swedish activists who participated in the observer mission organised by SILBA ("Support Initiative for Liberty and Democracy in the Baltic Area").
Additional information on the matter is now available on our website at: http://www.youthforum.org/en/belarus.htm
Should you have information on similar cases, arrested or deported persons because of taking part in peaceful protests, please forward it to us, at: press@youthforum.org
The European Youth Forum
This report was just in from the Freedom Day 25 March from our friends in Young Front
The DEMYC Chairman Ines Prainsack spoke at the NEDISY Congress 26 March. See the pictures, download the report and read Ines' speech.
We are following the situation in Belarus very closely, and we have recieved this report from SILBA.
The DEMYC Vice-Chairman Mia Magazin reports
The current situation in Belarus calls for all DEMYC Member organisations to asssist our friends to maintain the spirit and fight for their rights. Young people like ourselfes are fighting for freedon and the right for democracy - they are fighting for fundamental rights against a corrupt regime, which suppresses the opposition in every way. The courageous activists are in real dange of being expelled at their universities and sent to prison. The message is very clear, they need our support in every thinkable way!
It’s important that our friends in Belarus know that they are not alone in this battle and that DEMYC willing to help.
DEMYC has therefore launched a campaign via SMS by sending text messages to support the activists on one hand and to spread the word to the youth of Belarus, that they are not alone and have our full attention.
So please, dear DEMYC friends, spread the message by SMS:
Go to http://martinseebach.dk/sms/
This page is launched by Martin Seebach, International Secretary of KU.
Read the report on the recent developements in Belarus 27.2-12.3 2006 prepared by Jan Czurylowicz from the Office of the Vice-President of the European Parliament Dr Janusz Onyszkiewicz.
Download: 2006-Belarus-06-03-13.pdf (163 KB)
Download: 2006-English--NDI Statement.pdf (28 KB)
Statement in other languages:
Download: 2006-Belarusian--NDI Statement.pdf (175 KB)
Download: 2006-Russian--NDI Statement.pdf (171 KB)
On Monday, March the 13th 2006, at the press conference of Democratic Party of Serbia, the new DEMYC Vice-Chairman Mia Magazin was presented for the media.
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The DEMYC Secretary General Lasse Krull has the chance to meet with the leader of the National Coalition Party of Finland: Jyrki Katainen at the IYDU officers meeting held in Helsinki, Finland from 10th to 12th of March.
Mr. Jyrki Katainen has very good chances in becoming the next finish Primeminister in the elections in 2007 and he stressed the active role Finland has to play in international politics and in relation with sister parties and related organisations allover the world. |
The 21st DEMYC Congress 2006 adopted the the following resolutions:
“Actual happenings concerning caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed and following consequences”
Download: resolutionDEMYC.pdf (33 KB)
"Quo vadis Europe?
Europe 2050"
Download: resolutionEurope2050.pdf (27 KB)
The 21st DEMYC Congress was held 2-5 March in Vienna, Austria. Read the photoreport here.
In the weekend of 2-5 March 2006 more than 80 young politicians from all over Europe gathered in Vienna, Austria for the 21st DEMYC Congress.
The Congress elected a new bureau for the term 2006-2008.
The new chairman is Ines Elise Prainsack from Jünge Volkspartei (JVP), Austria. Ines is 26 years old and works as an assistant for the Austrian MEP Dr. Hubert Pirker in the European Parliament. Ines has been active in DEMYC since 2001.
The rest of the bureau is a follows:
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Secretary General:
Deputy Secretary General:
Vice-chairmen: |
Lasse Krull, KU-Denmark
Effie Gavriel, NEDISY-Cyprus
Costas Papachlimintzos, ONNED-Greece
Kaja Sörg, PPUY-Estonia
Mia Magazin, YDPS-Serbia
Pall Heimisson, SUS-Iceland
Miha Miklavcic, NG SLS-Slovenia
Tomas Jirsa, MK-Czech Republic |
The Congress also elected the financial auditors of DEMYC:
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Financial Auditors: |
Kurt Jakomet, JG SVP-Italy
Diogo Belford Henriques, JP-Portugal |
DEMYC 26.1.2006
DEMYC: Mr. Sauli Niinistö is strongly supported by young Europeans
One of the largest youth organisations in Europe, DEMYC (Democrat Youth of Community of Europe) hopes that the Finnish voters will elect a president, who truly cares about the future of Europe, Mr. Sauli Niinistö. DEMYC is an all-European political youth organisation, which has members from almost
every European country. DEMYC is a large umbrella organisation of right central political youth organisations all across the Europe. DEMYC has around 1 million members in total.
The President of DEMYC, Mr. Meinhard Friedl from Austria, is happy about the recent Portuguese presidential election. - The Portuguese made a hictorical and epoch-making decision, when electing a first non-socialist president for decades, says Mr. Friedl.
DEMYC hopes that the Finns get encouraged by the result of the election in Portugal and choose to pass the memories of the era of socialist presidents. DEMYC thinks that the time has come for Future President in Finland.
In the European political youth field they are waiting, that the change of the person as a president of Finland will bring a positive change in the EU policy of Finland. In Europe the young people expect that Finland will take a more active role in politics of the Union, instead of current role of a quiet retarder.
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