ership of the liberal Group in the European Parliament. Participants also include Foreign Ministers, Commissioners. The group discusses and reviews the six-month presidency of the European Union. This networking is especially important as European liberals are well represented in national governments throughout Europe and in the European Commission. The annual Congress is the supreme decision-making forum, consisting of delegates from the member parties, members of the parliamentary group of the ELDR party, ELDR members of the European Commission and representatives of European Liberal Youth (LYMEC). The Congress elects the President, Vice-Presidents and the Treasurer every two years and votes on policy resolutions and the electoral manifesto for European Parliament elections. Around 500 delegates and guests attend the Congress regularly. The ELDR Council is the party’s second highest decision-making body and meets at least twice a year. Delegates of full member parties are empowered to speak and act on behalf of the ELDR Party. The Council approves membership applications, membership fees, the party’s annual budget and accounts, and nominates the Secretary General. ELDR Party membership is open to all political parties in Europe that accept the Stuttgart Declaration. There are three categories of ELDR membership for political parties. Full members participate fully in all political activities and work of the Party. They have the right to voice their opinion, including proposing motions for resolutions at meetings of the ELDR Congress and Council through their delegates. They can amend and vote on policy documents, such as resolutions and the electoral manifesto, as well as voting in the elections of the ELDR Party Bureau and proposing candidates for the ELDR Party Bureau. They can participate in training sessions, particularly on campaigning for elections, sharing best practice in campaigning at local or national level, or participate in training on specific policy areas. They can apply for and MANUAL - The little Liberal Book | Appendix
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