Liberal thinking still valued

TALLINN - The Liberalism Academy, which unites prominent Reform Party members in Estonia, announced that this year’s Liberal of the Year is journalist Anvar Samost, reports National Broadcasting. “The title ‘Liberal of the Year’ will be given to a person who has stood out with their free ideas, fair criticism and opposition against populism. As liberals, we value free ideas very highly, including in those who do not always think like us and are free to criticize us as well,” said the honorary chairman of the Reform Party, European Commissioner in charge of transport, Siim Kallas, who announced the winner of the title.
“Anvar Samost is someone who spreads free ideas, a man who understands that difficult issues are not resolved with banners and slogans and he always prepares his criticism carefully,” he said.

Other candidates for the title were President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, for his perseverance in his defense of civil society and the rule of law, the political studies think tank Praxis, for intelligent analysis and Garage48 for practical measures in promoting entrepreneurship.

Liberalism Academy is a sub-organization of the Foundation of Civic Education, the objective of which is to promote liberal philosophy in order to withstand the increase in socialist tendencies in the society.
Last year the Liberal of the Year title went to Reform Party member and Minister of Finance Jurgen Ligi.