Further development towards a new political centre is possible if we consider the actual situation of the left and right wings of European politics. On the left, have the Social Democrats in some European countries like Great Britain and Sweden, moved to the right of centre. On the other hand, the European right vacillates between national and supranational ideas, and is ambivalent on the issue of secularism versus church. Could then the alliance of Social Liberals and Democrats eventually lead to the formation of the leading party in the European Parliament? This would result in restoring the historically successful link between liberal vision and practice that characterised Europe so strongly at the beginning of the 20th century!

Our group believes that current supranational problems require supranational solutions. In particular the solutions to three key problems are beyond the abilities of any single state. Providing life’s necessities for an ever-growing population is one of them. The need for joint action to prevent the widening of the hole in the ozone layer with its destructive effect on polar ice caps, leading to rising sea levels, is the second. International organised crime is the third challenge. The power of organised crime is growing stronger than governments’ authority to control it and some criminal organizations are already more powerful than the governments in some small states. We insist that government solutions should be taken close to the people they affect, because only such supranational approach is credible.

As the world changes, so does the European Union – especially as it expands into new areas. European Union cannot be satisfied by isolating itself behind walls. The benefits member states enjoy as a result of supranational approach to the problems should be shared with neighbouring countries and is Europe’s most important export good. Finding supranational solutions makes sense in areas where united Europe clearly contributes to better living conditions of its peoples. We are aware that the recent changes in European Union - such as Constitutional Treaty for Europe - are not welcome everywhere, and that some political forces portray the Union as a problem rather than a solution. We therefore believe that the EU’s recent enlargement requires fresh political ideas to mobilize politicians as well as citizens to accept greater responsibility for their common future. The success in developing economic, environmental and security strategies will only be possible in a united Europe that believes that the power of the whole is greater than its parts. The long-term interests of Slovenia rest in good hands with the Alliance of Liberals and the Democrats for Europe.