Bilbao – Young Democrats for Europe

Bilbao: A political renewal for the youths of the EDP

Coming from ten European countries, on the 26th, 27th and 28th of September, more than fifty delegates of European youth organisations gathered for a debate on the new political direction of the Young Democrats for Europe (YDE), the European Democratic Party youth organisation, and to renew their management team.

Meetings, exchanges and conviviality.

After Aitor Esteban – Spanish EAJ-PNV MP -, Matteo Fiorini – only YDE member who was Head of State – and Mihai Sebe’s speeches, the Congress opened with the previous team reports. Then, two organizations were accepted unanimously within the Young Democrats for Europe: UDI Jeunes (France) and Youth of the National Forum (Croatia). Significant changes to the statutes were adopted, which allow the organisation to be more dynamic and efficient with improvements such as a better integration of individual members. Finally, at the end of the day, a new team was elected based on different but complementary profiles. The new YDE team, led by Miroslava Demkova, will aim at revitalizing the structure and expanding it.

This Congress was the occasion for the Young Democrats for Europe to reaffirm their long-term political project for the coming years. Projects on Youth unemployment and empowerment in politics, EU foreign policy and peoples’ self-determination in Europe will be launched in the coming weeks.

Throughout this weekend, different activities organized by the young Basques from Euzko Gaztedi Indarra also allowed delegates to discover the Basque culture. This Congress ended with the Basque National Party day, one of the most important annual events in the Basque Country gathering more than 50,000 people.

YDE 10 Oct ’14

News Press Release

“The ERASMUS generation has no job!”

On September 27th 2014, the Young Democrats for Europe (YDE) elected at their Congress in Bilbao their new Bureau members.

On this occasion, the YDE underlined the need to tackle youth unemployment and the lack of influence of the European Union in the world.

“From Spain, where unemployment affects more than 51% of young people, we urge the EU to create an economic shock to revive investment and solve massive youth unemployment. The ERASMUS generation has no job!” explained Miroslava DEMKOVA, the new elected President, who recalled the direct impact, unemployment could have on the risk of populism in Europe.

Jeremy COSTE, spokesperson, called “the European Union to play a role as world power on the most important crises the world is going through whether at its borders, in the Middle East or in Africa. The EU cannot be any longer just a pushing power. We expect the EU to become a leading power and to ensure global peace.”

The Young Democrats for Europe are the youth branch of the European Democratic Party, part of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe at the European Parliament. At the Bilbao Congress, delegates from 10 youth organisations coming from 8 European countries elected a 10-member Board with Miroslava Demkova from Slovakia as President. She will work closely with a Secretary-General, Mathieu Camescasse (France), a treasurer, Johannes Meiners (Germany), and a spokesperson Jérémy Coste (France).

Message from Ivo Vajgl (EDP MEP from Slovenia) – 2014 YDE Congress by JDE-YDE