More Liberal Voices

More Liberal Voices is a project coordinated by the Lithuanian Free Market Institute (LFMI). Through this project we aspire to advance the liberal agenda in the EU decision-making process and to give an organized voice to liberal solutions by submitting rigorous analysis and responses to some key areas of public policy of the European Union. By pooling together the expert and advocacy capacities of the liberal-minded think-tanks in the 4Liberty network, we seek to multiply the outreach, visibility and impact of these groups in driving liberal policies in the EU agenda

Policy Papers

Response to Public Consultation Process on a New Energy Market Design

BY More Liberal Voices AND LFMI / November 5, 2015

The Commission believes the transformation of electricity system and redesigned electricity market to have an added value to cross-border competition as well as to promote decentralized electricity generation (self-consumption and innovative energy service companies).

Policy Papers

Electronic Communications Networks and Services: LFMI’s Response to Public Consultation Process

BY More Liberal Voices AND LFMI / November 2, 2015

In accordance with the Commission’s Work Programme for 2015, the review will be preceded by the evaluation of a Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT) aimed at assessing whether or not the current regulatory framework is “fit for purpose.”

Economy

Digital Single Market Strategy: Lessons from the Czech Republic

BY More Liberal Voices, Vaclav Nekvapil AND Karolina Kristanova / November 1, 2015

After years of being ignorant to the ICT and the digital economy in general, the Czech Republic has now changed its position and declares its full support to the digital agenda as well as the EU Digital Single Market Strategy. The problem, however, is that the actual implementation of these promises has been lagging behind for a long time.

Policy Papers

Digital Single Market Strategy: Good Goals with Wrong Means

BY More Liberal Voices AND LFMI / November 1, 2015

In considering what regulation is necessary for the implementation of the Strategy, it should be remembered that market concentration does not necessarily indicate market power and market changes are frequently the result of innovation. Also, legal certainty is crucial for business.

Policy Papers

Briefing Paper on the EU Agenda “Better Regulation for Better Results”

BY More Liberal Voices AND LFMI / October 26, 2015

The objective of this paper is to comment on the “Better regulation for better results - An EU agenda” from May 19, 2015 (hereinafter – EU BR Agenda) in a broader context. The EU BR Agenda confirms the existing schemes and frameworks of EU Better Regulation policy, expresses a firm political commitment to continue efforts in this regard, and embraces evolutional – not revolutionary – novelties.

Politics

Populism Behind Land Ownership Regulation in Bulgaria

BY Svetla Kostadinova AND More Liberal Voices / October 23, 2015

At least 70% of all drafts of normative acts submitted to the Bulgarian Parliament are with no justification and assessment of expected costs and benefits. This leads to wrong policies, costly policy mistakes, burdened businesses, unpredictable business environment and opportunities for lobbyist to act in favour of specific groups.

Economy

How to Establish True Digital Single Market in Europe?

BY More Liberal Voices AND Dominykas Sumskis / October 21, 2015

A common EU cyberspace market is expected to transform cyberspace into a favourable environment for new businesses and provide even the smallest digital companies with access to 500 million consumers across the EU. It is indeed an excellent intention, but what are the steps to a successful implementation?

Economy

Distorted World of Cheap Money

BY More Liberal Voices AND Vytautas Zukaukas / October 6, 2015

A few weeks ago, the Fed expressed no intention to increase interest rates, but the will to maintain the current ones of 0 to 0.25%. The problem is that cheap money does not only indicate the prevailing economic problems, but imply long-term negative impact on both savers and economy.

Politics

Digital Single Market’s Trap for Competition

BY More Liberal Voices AND Dominykas Sumskis / June 16, 2015

On May 6, 2015, the European Commission announced the Digital Single Market Strategy. It is a set of policies aimed at encouraging the development of innovation, digital technologies and cyberspace. The intentions are good, but will implementation be successful?

Publications

LFMI’s Position on Law on Land Safeguards

BY More Liberal Voices AND LFMI / June 5, 2015

May 1, 2014 – A new recast of the Law on the Acquisition of Agricultural Land in the Republic of Lithuania1 (hereinafter referred to as “LAAL”), also known as the land “safeguards” law, has taken effect. The law stipulates provisions that limit the right to freely operate in the agricultural market by restricting agricultural land purchase and sale transactions.