Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

ABOUT Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom is the foundation for liberal politics in the Federal Republic of Germany. It aims to promote the goal of making the principle of freedom valid for the dignity of all people and in all areas of society, both in Germany and abroad. With the safeguarding and the development of its statutory projects (civic education and dialogue, sponsorship of the talented, research and political consultation, archive-work), the Friedrich Naumann Foundation wants to contribute to shaping the future.

Politics

Polish Presidential Election: Hope for Poland’s Democracy

BY Monika Rosa AND Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom / June 25, 2020

The forthcoming presidential election in Poland, scheduled for June 28, will be decisive for the future direction of our country. Poles are faced with the choice between the final consolidation of anti-democratic rule, or a glimmer of hope for the future.

Society

Life After Lockdown: What Will the World Look Like After Coronavirus Pandemic?

BY Natalie Marakova AND Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom / June 18, 2020

From day to day, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way people live around the globe. Even when lockdown restrictions are lifted, many say that the world will never be the same. What might the world after the pandemic look like?

Politics

Poland Ahead of Presidential Election: New Frontrunner on Political Stage?

BY Natalie Marakova AND Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom / June 12, 2020

The presidential election in Poland, which was cancelled at short notice in May, will now take place on June 28. The new opposition candidate, Rafal Trzaskowski, is now positioning himself as the strongest challenger to incumbent Andrzej Duda.

Politics

Ice Age between the Czech Republic and Russia

BY Detmar Doering AND Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom / May 22, 2020

The COVID-19 crisis was used quickly and efficiently – now that there was no need for protests, he was disposed of: General Konev, Marshal of the Soviet Union. Not himself, of course, but his monument in the Prague district Bubeneč.

Politics

Quo Vadis Hungary? Power Grab Amid COVID-19 Crisis

BY Toni Skoric AND Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom / May 21, 2020

The “Coronavirus Law” adopted by the Hungarian Parliament on March 30 did not only enable Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to govern by decree for an unlimited period of time, but also suspended elections and referendums. With the passing of the emergency law, the parliament had disempowered itself.

Politics

Czech Republic: Court Puts Government in its Place

BY Natalie Marakova AND Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom / May 8, 2020

With the introduction of a travel ban for its own citizens, the Czech measures to contain the corona epidemic have so far been among the strictest in Europe. Two weeks ago, the Prague City Court overturned four measures taken by the Czech Ministry of Health that restricted the free movement of citizens and retailers. A […]

Politics

Repressive Draft Laws in Times of COVID-19: Human Rights Violations on Parliamentary Agenda in Hungary and Poland

BY Toni Skoric AND Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom / April 30, 2020

The increasingly autocratic tendencies observed in Poland and Hungary during the COVID-19 crisis have alarmed the EU. With street protests currently banned, human rights activists fear that the pandemic will be used by national conservative governments to consolidate their power and undermine democracy and human rights.

Politics

China, Corona Pandemic, and Struggle for Sovereignty of Interpretation

BY Pavel Fischer AND Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom / April 14, 2020

The Chinese Communist Party was given the opportunity to show how the common future should look like. The Chinese propaganda machine claims that China has demonstrated its ability to respond to the health crisis and that European countries could also benefit from China’s experience.

Politics

Policy Options for Tackling COVID-19 Crisis

BY Justus Lenz AND Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom / April 10, 2020

To stop the coronavirus, most countries ceased almost all economic and social activities. As a first response to prevent an exponential growth of cases, this was probably justified. However, we will not be able to bear the costs of such a complete shutdown for a very long time.

Politics

Poland Votes Despite COVID-19 Crisis

BY Detmar Doering AND Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom / April 3, 2020

The restructuring of the state in a latently authoritarian direction is being pushed even further. The government’s worrying trend is particularly evident in the way it is trying to instrumentalize the COVID-19 crisis for the upcoming presidential elections on May 10.