LYMEC Autumn Congress in Vilnius

The LYMEC autumn congress was supported by Renew Europe 

From 23-25 October 2026, LYMEC's Autumn Congress took place in Vilnius, Lithuania for a weekend of political debate, networking and setting the agenda for the organisation.

Summary

Over the weekend, young liberals from all over Europe gathered together to debate key issues ranging from affordability and strengthening European security, to the electricity system and market, pharmaceutical innovation, strengthening European cybersecurity, and the Rule of Law. 

The Bureau presented their work from the last 6 months, as well the budget proposal for the upcoming year and the Programme of Action for 2026-2028 which were both approved by Congress.

We extended the mandate of our Secretary General Even Diot, elected David Grasveld as IFLRY representative and elected the LYMEC Delegation to the ALDE Party Congress. 

The following people were elected to the ALDE Party Delegation:

Joy Kamel

Gerard O’Connor

Julia Cieslikowkska

Mireira Parera i Dedeu

Dennis Schad

Timur Vilic

Rares-Lucia Moceau

Milana Shesterikova 

Andrei Tatur

LYMEC Policy Officer Martina Barrés Sabartés serves as Head of Delegation. 

Before Congress started, we were also delighted to see a great turnout and engagement at the FNF Baltics fringe event at the Freedom House. Participants gathered for exchanges on security in the Baltics and Europe, and had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the practical aspects of security innovation through a drone simulator as well as VR images of Ukraine. 

As part of LYMEC’s efforts to increase meaningful participation at our events, this congress also included a capacity building session for women delegates at the Constitutional Hall of the Seimas. During the event, participants exchanged views and expectations ahead of the congress, shared thoughts on structural and cultural aspects which may either encourage or discourage political participation among women, as well as strengthened their network within LYMEC. 

New associate members

Another topic on the agenda of Congress was the approval of new full members. Our liberal youth organisation Youth Bloc, operating in exile from Belarus, was accepted as a full member of LYMEC with an overwhelming majority. 

This marks an important step in strengthening our network and fighting authoritarianism in Europe. 

We warmly congratulate Youth Bloc and look forward to their valuable contributions and active engagement within the LYMEC family!

Resolutions

This year’s Spring Congress adopted eight political resolutions. After the following resolutions were passed, LYMEC is calling for decisive action to address these challenges and continue shaping a more united and liberal Europe:

1. Powering Europe Freely - A Technology-Neutral, Competitive and Resilient European Electricity System
2. Making Europe a Global Leader in Pharmaceutical Innovation
3. Deregulate to Liberate: Making Life Affordable Again in Europe
4. Securing Europe’s Digital Future
5. Let the Market Split the Atom: A Technology-Neutral Framework for Nuclear Energy and a Competitive European Electricity Market
6. Let Bulls Smell Flowers, Not Blood: A Call to Ban Bullfighting
7. Together We Spend, United We Ball - More EU Defense Joint Venture Projects!
8. No Union without values: defending the Rule of Law in the EU

For further information, please consult the LYMEC​ Policy Book (Will be updated in the following weeks)

Speaker highlights

Valérie Hayer (MEP, Renew Europe President) addressed the young liberals in the room by acknowledging their role in shaping the European future as well as in providing guidance of political leaders in the present. She encouraged the congress to debate openly, be ambitions and to not fear disagreement, but respect differences and find common solutions. 

Svenja Hahn (MEP, ALDE Party President) expressed her expectations in LYMEC to deliver new ideas and solutions and bringing them into ALDE, emphasizing the importance of the young generation to be heard. In addition, she encouraged delegates to network and form new friendships and connections. 

Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Member of the Lithuanian Parliament congratulated LYMEC on our 50 years, stating that young people should not just inherit political decisions , but actively shape them. She encouraged us to defend liberal democracy by looking at our own societies, making sure we do not dismiss those of opposing opinions, but continuously question our own assumptions and remaining open to new ideas. 

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Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, MEP Liberalų sąjūdis started his speech by introducing us to the history of the Seimas and Lithuanian history, calling for young people to keep moving Europe forward and improving democracy and bring hope to our citizens. 

Dainius ŽALIMAS, MEP Laisvės partija references the history of Lithuania gaining independence and the need for us to keep standing up for freedom, reminding us of all the things that are at stake, and encouraged LYMEC to keep being a voice for young people and for young delegates to address how the EU:s decisions impact young people. 

Julius von Freytag-Loringhoven, Head of FNF Baltics recognized the heroism of the Ukrainian people and called on liberals to increase geopolitical strategic thinking, reminding us of the need for Ukraine to win the war in order for Europe to remain free. 

Vytautas Mitalas, Deputy Mayor of Vilnius welcomed us warmly in the city, after which he called on liberalism to reposition itself, and reminded us to not only look at how things have been done in the past, but also to put in new perspectives. 

All discussions during Congress were shaped by the common objective of a more self-sufficient Europe, where freedom, security and prosperity prevails. The liberal leaders in the room recognised the need for Europe to step up to its challenges – and we leave congress more and ready to do so ourselves. The next congress will take place in Bucharest, Romania in April 2027. 

The LYMEC Autumn Congress was organised with the support of the Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament and the Friedrich Naumman Foundation for Freedom Europe.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.