Charting a fresh political path post-ADR, Roy Reding introduces 'Liberté', a movement that promises its members complete freedom of speech as they prepare to contest in the national election.
After Roy Reding and the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) parted ways six weeks ago, the MP has launched a new political movement, called Liberté, which will participate in the national election later this year.
According to the movement, the freedom of citizens is being limited in certain areas of life. Reding therefore insists that his 60 election candidates will be free to post whatever they desire on social media.
In conversation with RTL, he underlined that the government is there to serve citizens instead of bullying them. He believes that people should not be afraid to express themselves about social issues.
MP Reding noted: "Nowadays we often see that people are being persecuted for so-called 'hate speech' based on posts they've shared—whether self-authored or forwarded."
Campaign manifesto soon to be unveiled
One of Liberté's candidates in the northern constituency recently posted lyrics on Facebook that were written by a band considered right-wing extremist by Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. MP Reding said that he and his party leaders will not interfere with the social media accounts of their candidates or sympathisers. We will not be a "thought police", stated Reding.
He elaborated: "Every human is free to like and listen to what they want, particularly when it comes to punk music. I have absolutely no idea about which band or lyrics this is about. Even the [Alternative for Germany] is being watched by the Constitution Protection Office. That doesn't say anything for me."
While Liberté is being set up, much of its structure is still in the works. At present, only Reding's Facebook page enlists information about the movement. The MP ensured however that the complete campaign manifesto - which he described as "short and precise" - will soon be made available. He further promised that he has much greater ambitions for the party than merely taking away votes from the ADR.
Candidates from across the political spectrum
Reding explained that no real recruitment efforts were needed as enough candidates had come forward to run for Liberté to make almost more than one list in every district.
Many of the candidates were already previously active in politics: "With Nico Glod we have a great candidate in the centre, who was active in the [Christian Social People's Party] for 28 years. Giovanni Patri, who still ran for the CSV in the municipal elections, will be the lead candidate in the south. We also have candidates from The Left, the Pirates, and the ADR."
One of the former ADR people is Guy Arend, who participated in the German version of 'Farmer Wants a Wife' and who already ran in the 2018 national election. Béatrice Clement, former president of the ADR's Luxembourg City section, will also run for Liberté despite having participated in the recent municipal election for FOKUS.
A number of Liberté candidates, such as Bas Schagen and Chantal Reinert, were vocal critics of government measures during the Covid-19 pandemic. "Yes, leading members of the movement against restrictive government measures have found their way into our ranks and I am happy about that", stressed Reding.
As for election ambitions, MP Reding said that Liberté aims at 2% at a national level, one seat in the Chamber, and a list for the 2024 European elections.
