{"id":614,"date":"2026-10-14T10:35:26","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T08:35:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vvd.nl\/groep-international\/?post_type=news&p=614"},"modified":"2026-10-14T11:48:22","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T09:48:22","slug":"lennart-salemink-is-running-for-deputy-president-of-liberal-international","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.vvd.nl\/groep-international\/nieuws\/lennart-salemink-is-running-for-deputy-president-of-liberal-international\/","title":{"rendered":"Lennart Salemink is Running for Deputy President of Liberal International"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Dear liberal friends,<\/p>\n

It is with great enthusiasm and a strong sense of commitment that I put forward my candidacy for the position of Deputy President of Liberal International (LI).<\/p>\n

At a time when liberal democracy is under increasing pressure around the world, I believe that Liberal International has an essential role to play. Our movement must not only defend liberal values but also demonstrate that liberalism offers credible, forward-looking answers to the challenges of our time. And these challenges are immense.<\/p>\n

When I began my professional career in politics in 2011, we as liberals still believed that we might have witnessed ‘the end of history’. The Arab Spring seemed to be yet another sign that freedom and democracy would ultimately prevail. Since the collapse of communism and the fall of the Berlin Wall, the spread of liberal values had become something we almost took for granted. Free trade was making us more prosperous. Marriage equality was gaining ground around the world. International law was being strengthened to hold perpetrators of terrorism and war crimes accountable, from Lockerbie to the atrocities committed in the former Yugoslavia.<\/p>\n

Today, the picture looks very different. From Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the global rise of far-right populism to the wars in the Middle East and the growing influence of authoritarian leaders, we can no longer deny that our values are under threat and must be actively defended.<\/p>\n

We can only defend our core liberal values if we stand united, as former LI President Hans van Baalen always encouraged us to do. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has spoken about the need for middle powers to come together to counterbalance the world’s strongmen. The same principle applies to us as liberals. Liberal forces across the globe must unite to resist growing pressure and protect our freedoms. Because if we are not at the table, we are on the menu.<\/p>\n

My partner comes from Estonia, a country that celebrates both Independence Day and the Restoration of Independence Day. Estonians know better than most that security and freedom can never be taken for granted. Let us unite as a global liberal family to ensure that Estonia never has to celebrate a third independence day.<\/p>\n

I am determined to bring our liberal family closer together and ensure that liberals have a seat at the table. As a Bureau Member and in my other roles, I have always sought to build bridges and bring people together. Through the Liberal International Democratic Training Academy, which I co-founded with our President of Honour Hakima El Haite, we have brought together liberals from the MENA region and the wider global liberal family. I also brought the Liberal International Bureau to Estonia to engage with our liberal sister party, the Estonian Reform Party. Together with my party, the VVD, I hosted Liberal International’s 2025 Executive Committee meeting in The Hague.<\/p>\n

My inspiration to continue building a truly global Liberal International has grown through my travels across Africa, my experience as an LI election observer in Taiwan, my participation in our Congress in Chile and my visits to the liberal stronghold of Canada.<\/p>\n

Some may argue that the differences within our liberal family are simply too great. Can we really overcome them and stand united? I firmly believe we can.<\/p>\n

I come from a country with two liberal parties: the VVD and D66. We may disagree on a range of policies, but we will always defend the separation of powers, independent media, individual freedoms and free trade. These are the principles that define us as a global liberal family. Without exception.<\/p>\n

Especially now, when the liberal international order is under threat, we must focus on what unites us. Even when conversations are difficult, whether due to different national perspectives or cultural backgrounds, Liberal International\u2019s core responsibility is to facilitate dialogue, strengthen mutual understanding and build solidarity within our family.<\/p>\n

I am ready to take on this challenge: to unite liberals, defend our freedoms and counter the extremes.<\/p>\n

The stakes could not be higher, and our mission could not be clearer.<\/p>\n

The Future is Liberal.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yours sincerely,<\/p>\n

Lennart Salemink<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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