Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

The Mission of the ALDE-PACE group is to promote core values of the Council of Europe: democracy, human rights and the rule of law through enhanced political actions inside and outside the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. ALDE adopted a new mission statement 22 January 2018 outlining the values and objectives of the group.[2] ALDE members realize these objectives by actively participating in the Parliamentary Assembly sessions, working in its Committees, drafting reports, initiating debates and ensuring the follow-up of this work in their home countries. Outside the Assembly the group members are committed to promoting the principles of the Council of Europe and giving support to liberal and democratic values throughout Europe.[3]

It was not until after the celebration of the Council of Europe's 25th anniversary in 1964 that the Rules of Procedure of the Consultative Assembly (its name was not changed to Parliamentary Assembly until 1974) discreetly mentioned that members had the possibility of forming political groups. The history of the liberal group in the PACE dates back to the early 1970s (first documented in 1974). At the time it was called the Liberal Group and consisted of 30 members headed by Frederik Portheine (Netherlands).[3]

In the mid-80s the group changed its name to the "Liberal, Democratic and Reformers' Group" (LDR) in order to make the Group's political ideals universally and unequivocally recognisable. The name "Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe" (ALDE) was adopted on 20 June 2005[6] in order to enhance cooperation with other European liberal and democratic bodies, in particular the ALDE of the European Parliament.

ALDE-PACE Presidents

In office	President	Country
January 2020 – present	Jacques Maire	France
2017–2020	Rik Daems	Belgium
2014 – October 2017	Jordi Xuclà	Spain
2009–2014	Anne Brasseur	Luxembourg
2002–2009	Mátyás Eörsi	Hungary
1999–2002	Kristiina Ojuland	Estonia
1994–1999	Sir Russell-Johnston	United Kingdom
1991–1994	Daniel Tarschys	Sweden
1983–1991	Bjorn Elmquist	Denmark
1980–1983	Manfred Vohrer	Germany
1974–1980	Frederik Portheine	Netherlands

Liberal Presidents of the Parliamentary Assembly

In office	President	Country
2020–present	Rik Daems	Belgium
2014–2016	Anne Brasseur	Luxembourg
1999–2002	Lord Russell-Johnston	United Kingdom
1978–1981	Hans J. de Koster	Netherlands
1969–1972	Olivier Reverdin	Switzerland
1960–1963	Per Federspiel	Denmark

The ALDE-PACE holds stable partnership with major European and world liberal and democratic organisations.

1. ALDE Party
2. Renew Europe in the European Parliament
3. International Federation of Liberal Youth(IFLRY)
4. Liberal International(LI)
5. Renew Europe in the European Committee of the Regions
6. Independent Liberal and Democratic Group, Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

• Official website