The Social Liberals (Austria)

The Social Liberals (German: Die Sozialliberalen, or SoL) is a minor social liberal political party in Austria. It has never won a seat in a federal election.

Formation

The party was founded and its charter registered and deposited at the Federal Interior Ministry, as required by Austrian law, on March 11, 2002. It has not yet contested any Austrian federal election.

Alliances

The debate about the party-programme began in earnest after the controversial 2002 parliamentary elections, which brought to power a centre-right government. The SoL regards itself as a left liberal or libertarian left party with social democratic leftist leanings. The party has contacts with the Italian Radicals, the Belgian Vivant party [1], as well as the German party Liberale Demokraten – Die Sozialliberalen [2]. The Social Liberals see an affinity with the Danish Det Radikale Venstre and the Dutch Democrats 66 ("D66"). The SoL has stated its interest in an alliance with other leftist parties, within Austria and abroad. [3].

Aims

In 2004, the party was led by the lawyer Edith Gagern, Brigitte Mahel and Stephan Neuhäuser. The Social Liberals have various aims: they see themselves in the tradition of humanism, promoting a life free of ideology or doctrine. They want

1. sustainable development and environmental protection
2. transparency and more streamlining in the political decision-making process, both domestically and in the European Union
3. the introduction of a nation-wide basic income
4. a social and just market economy
5. the keeping of Austria's neutrality and a
6. strong engagement for peace-initiatives, human rights, and solidarity with the destitute, refugees, and asylum-seekers.

The Social Liberals also want to see the voting system changed from the current party-list proportional representation to proportional representation, in order to give smaller parties a chance [4].

See also

• Contributions to liberal theory
• Liberalism
• Liberal democracy
• Liberalism in Austria
• Liberalism worldwide
• List of liberal parties
• Social liberalism

External links

• Official web site

•  • e Political parties in Austria
National Council (2006):	Social Democratic Party (67)1 • People's Party (66) • Greens (21) • Freedom Party (20) • Alliance for the Future of Austria (7) • Liberal Forum (1)1 • independent (1)2
Federal Council (indirect election):	Social Democratic Party (29) • People's Party (26) • Greens (4) • Alliance for the Future of Austria (2) • Freedom Party (1)
European Parliament (2004):	Social Democratic Party (7) • People's Party (6) • Greens (2) • Hans-Peter Martin's List (1) • Liberal Forum (1)3 • Freedom Party (1)
Landtag(e) only:	Communist Party (Styria, 2005)
Minor parties:	Socialist Left Party • Christian Electoral Community • Neutral Free Austria • The Christians • Social Liberals • Enotna Lista (Unity List) (Carinthia)
1. Alexander Zach, the chairman of the Liberal Forum, was elected on the Social Democratic Party's electoral list and sits in their caucus. 2. On 7 March 2007, Ewald Stadler left the Freedom Party; he continues to sit in their caucus, however. 3. Karin Resetarits was initially elected as an MEP on the List Hans-Peter Martin, but she later broke ties with him, then joined the ALDE group, and finally joined the Liberal Forum.
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