From 17 to 19 April, LYMEC's Electoral Spring Congress took place in Vienna, Austria. It was also the occasion to celebrate our 50th anniversary!
Summary
Over the weekend, young liberals from all over Europe gathered in Vienna for this Spring Congress, where they debated key issues ranging from defending Greenland’s sovereignty and strengthening European security, to advancing equal marriage across Europe, boosting EU competitiveness, countering disinformation, and protecting Europe’s space sovereignty.
The Bureau presented their work from the last 6 months, before celebrating the 50th Anniversary of LYMEC.
We then turned to the elections to elect a new Bureau and Internal Auditors to lead forward for the two next years, marking an important moment for LYMEC!
Before Congress started, we were also delighted to see a great turnout and engagement with ELF's Conference on the Future of Skills and Jobs, in partnership with NEOS Lab. The training session focused on tackle how AI, automation, and shifting labour markets are transforming the way we work.
New associate members
One of the first main topics on the agenda was the approval of new associate members, with NOVA from Italy and Democratic Youth of Kosovo.
This marks an important step in strengthening our network and expanding liberal cooperation across Europe. We warmly congratulate both organisations and look forward to their valuable contributions and active engagement within the LYMEC family!
LYMEC's 50th anniversary
We then had the pleasure of celebrating LYMEC’s 50th anniversary, marked by an incredible cake and a moment of shared reflection. This milestone was not only a celebration of the organisation’s history, but also of the generations of young liberals who have shaped its values and impact across Europe.
It was a warm and symbolic occasion, bringing delegates together to honour the past while looking ahead to the future of LYMEC and the continued strength of our network.
Elections
As we said goodbye to the LYMEC Bureau that served the 2024-2026 mandate, a new adventure has begun with the election of the new Bureau that will guide us until 2028!
Marten Porte, our former Treasurer, has been elected President, bringing with him strong experience, dedication, and a clear vision for the future of the organisation. His dedication over the years reflects the continuity and ambition that will guide LYMEC in the months ahead.
In addition, the Congress elected:
- Sean Bennett as Vice-President,
- Ilija Jerković as Treasurer,
and four Bureau members:
- Anes Hodžić
- Dimitra Papadopoulou
- Martina Barrés Sabartés
- and Tommy Monahan.
Lastly, the Congress also elected two new Internal Auditors, Aleks Spasava Løndal and Pim Heymans, reinforcing our commitment to transparency and accountability.
Furthermore, a Committee of Discipline and Arbitrage, of five individuals with a history of involvement in LYMEC, were appointed: Elinor Juth, Julius Graack, Marina Sedlo, Peter Banks, and Stefanía Reynisdóttir.
Resolutions
This year’s Spring Congress adopted six 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:
- Defending Greenland’s Sovereignty: A Liberal European Response to Modern Imperialism
- Guaranteeing peace and freedom on our continent: Towards a Credible European Nuclear Deterrent
- Equal marriage. Equal Europe.
- Resolution on EU-INC (28th Regime) and E-Competitiveness
- Building Resilience: Countering Disinformation Through Education
- Lost in Time and Lost in Space? Europe’s Wake-Up Call for Space Security and Sovereignty!
For further information, please consult the LYMEC Policy Book (Will be updated in the following weeks)
Speaker highlights
Valérie Hayer (MEP, Renew Europe President) celebrated LYMEC’s 50th anniversary, praising decades of liberal courage and youth engagement. She called on young liberals to continue building a stronger, more united and more independent Europe, and to remain bold in defending democracy and freedom.
Svenja Hahn (MEP, ALDE Party President) reflected on her own LYMEC journey, highlighting its role in shaping liberal leaders. She urged delegates to actively defend democracy, fight populism, and carry hope forward in Europe.
Jan-Christoph Oetjen (MEP, European Liberal Forum President) shared his personal start in youth politics and stressed how LYMEC builds future leaders. He encouraged members to take space, shape ideas, and drive political renewal.
Finally, Dominik Oberhofer (NEOS MP) welcomed delegates to Vienna and shared his liberal journey, encouraging young liberals to see themselves as the future of Europe and to actively shape its direction.
The energy in the room showed that liberal youth are ready to shape the future with courage, ideas, and solidarity. We hope you enjoyed Vienna, and we look forward to seeing you again at the next Congress in Vilnius this autumn!
This event is organised with the support of the Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament, the Friedrich Naumman Foundation for Freedom Europe, and the European Liberal Forum.
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.
LYMEC Electoral Spring Congress 2026