The European Union is turning a page and entering a new era of politics. Until now the Union has been largely governed by the European Council, which means by national interests. Today,through the Lisbon Treaty, the Union is faced with a Copernican revolution. The Parliament is now equal with the Member States. We now enter the age of a political Union that will be based on promoting the European interest. The European Parliament now has the power to lead the Union in a new, more ambitious direction. As a key force in the Parliament and the Commission the ALDE Group wants to take the lead and set the agenda in the next five years. The ALDE will vigorously promote a progressive pro-European agenda, taking into account the genuine interests of the Union and its citizens.

The ALDE firmly believes that the next five years will be critical for the European Union. The current economic and environmental situation requires a fundamental rethink of all the old assumptions and a bold step towards new ideas and thinking. This strategic programme intends to map some of these out and provide direction to the Union. It gives for every member of the European Commission a programme which we expect he or she should execute in the next five years. The support of the ALDE for each of the Commissioners will depend on his or her support for this programme.

The Programme has five main priorities: tackling the economic and financial crisis by a sustainable recovery, rethinking the budget and introducing real own resources, tackling climate change seriously with an environmentally integrated society, fighting for freedom and fundamental rights and promoting a coherent Europe strategy in the world.

To proceed reading the full ALDE Five year Strategic Programme for the European Commission