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In general, liberalism in Europe is a political movement that supports a broad tradition of individual liberties and constitutionally-limited and democratically accountable government. These European derivatives of classical liberalism are found in centrist movements and parties as well as some parties on the centre-right and the centre-left.
Liberalism in Europe has a different meaning from the signification it has in contemporary politics in the US.[1] In America, liberals might be confused with leftists which advocate for a larger government, some forms of protectionism and more economic interventionism;[2] whereas European liberals usually favor limited government, free trade and adhere to economic liberalism.[1]
European liberals also usually support the federalisation of the EU.[3]
Liberal political parties have specific policies, which the social scientist can either read from party manifestos, or infer from actual actions and laws passed by ostensibly liberal parties. The sources listed below serve to illustrate some of the current liberal attitudes in Europe.
Additionally, liberal value preferences can be inferred from the liberalisation programmes and policies of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
The liberalism visible in these sources emphasizes in comparison with other ideologies more belief in individual development as a motor for society and the state providing a social safety net. The liberal policies differ from country to country and from party to party.
European liberalists tend to support the European Union[11][12][13][14][15][16] such as Emmanuel Macron, President of France who campaigned against Marine Le Pen a National Rally candidate a far right nationalist anti EU party.[17][18][19] Some European liberalists support Federalisation of the European Union such as prominent European Liberalist politicians such as Guy Verhofstadt (Prime Minister of Belgium 1999 to 2008)[20][21] , Viviane Reading (Vice-President of the European Commission),[22] and Matteo Renzi (Prime Minister of Italy 2014 to 2016).[23]
![Emmanuel Macron, President of France, is often described as the strongest advocate for liberalism in Europe[4]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Emmanuel_Macron_during_his_meeting_with_Vladimir_Putin%2C_June_2017.jpg)
