Europe–Democracy–Esperanto

Europe–Democracy–Esperanto (EDE, E–D–E, or E° D° E°; Esperanto: Eŭropo–Demokratio–Esperanto) is a pro-Esperanto European political alliance regularly participating in European elections. The party's main platform is the introduction of Esperanto as the official language of the European Union (EU) in order to make international communication more efficient and fair in economical and philosophical terms, based on the conclusions of a report by François Grin.

As Europe–Démocratie–Espéranto, the party first took part in an election in the 2004 European Parliament election, in France. Its German branch, Europa–Demokratie–Esperanto, failed to gather the 4000 signatures necessary to participate in the elections in Germany.

The list's main goal is the promotion of Esperanto in the EU. In the medium term, it wants Esperanto taught in schools Europe-wide, and in the long term, it wants the EU to adopt Esperanto as its official language. In order to make this goal a reality, the EDE is striving to have list candidates in each country in the EU for the 2009 European Parliament election. Until now the organisation has only had branch offices in France and Germany.

Debate within Esperanto movement

While most Esperanto institutions such as Universala Esperanto-Asocio are by statute and in practice politically neutral, some discussion about the neutrality of EDE has arisen. Specifically, there is concern over what other policies might through EDE be linked with Esperanto other than the advancement of Esperanto itself. German Esperanto writer Ulrich Matthias argues that in gaining broad support in Germany at least, EDE would be best served to identify with centrist positions advancing humanism, peace and environmentalism, as well as opposing "U.S. hegemony" and linguistic imperialism in the correct fashion.