Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Its role is to promote local and regional democracy, improve local and regional governance and strengthen authorities' self-government. It pays particular attention to application of the principles laid down in the European Charter of Local Self-Government. It encourages the devolution and regionalisation processes, as well as transfrontier co-operation between cities and regions.
A crucial monitoring role
The Congress conducts regular monitoring visits to all member states to appraise their implementation of the European Charter of Local Self-Government. After these visits the Congress sets out conclusions in its monitoring reports and adopts recommendations which the governments are required to follow, as well as resolutions with a view to improving the governance of local and regional authorities.
This monitoring activity provides a sound basis for constructive political dialogue with member states' governments. Through its activities, the Congress encourages them to take account of the local and regional dimension and to involve local and regional authorities fully in their political decisions. It also ensures that the subsidiarity principle is respected, a principle which ensures that some responsibilities and financial resources are transferred from central to local and regional authorities. Much legislative reform has been carried out by member states on the basis of the findings set out in Congress monitoring reports.
Election Observation
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has been taking part in the observer missions for local elections in the 47 Council of Europe member countries and beyond since 1990.
The Congress has conducted almost 100 election observation missions to date. Observing local elections is one of the Congress's action priorities. This activity complements the political monitoring of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, which constitutes the cornerstone of local democracy in Europe.
The results of the work of the Congress: conventions and charters
Since it was set up, the Congress has drawn up a number of international treaties, including the European Charter of Local Self-Government, which has become the international benchmark in this field, laying down common European standards to protect local authorities' rights.
Partner networks and associations
The Congress plays an active part in projects to strengthen local democracy and transfrontier co-operation in Europe and encourages the setting up of national associations of local and regional authorities, Local Democracy Agencies and the new kind of Euroregion.
How does the Congress organise its election observation?
The observer missions are conducted at the official request of the national authorities concerned (eg a ministry or the Central Electoral Commission). On receipt of such a request, the Congress sets up a delegation responsible for observing the election, normally comprising between 10 and 15 of its members (elected representatives of territorial communities in the 46 Council of Europe member states).
Before the day of the election, several meetings are held to assess the state of electoral democracy, with the participation of governmental institutions, local and regional elected representatives, representatives of the public administration (electoral commissions), political parties (government and opposition), the media, diplomatic circles and civil society.
Pending a decision from the Bureau of the Congress, a pre-election delegation (comprising between two and five members) may also be detailed to assess the overall political situation of the country and the electoral campaign and investigate the legal framework for the elections.
Who are the Congress observers?
The political composition of delegations is proportional to the representation of the political groups in the Congress. The Congress also ensures fair representation of its non-registered members.
EPP/CD = 28% SOC = 26% ILDG = 14%
It also strives to achieve balanced gender representation (minimum one-third female members, in accordance with the Charter of the Congress). Lastly, it attempts to secure balanced representation of both Congress Chambers and of the various member states of the Council of Europe.
The EU Committee of the Regions is associated with the Congress's election observation mission as part of its co-operation with the European Union.
Conclusions and follow-up
At the end of every election observation mission, the Congress delegation publishes a preliminary statement, which is normally read out at an on-the-spot press conference at the close of the elections. A report is subsequently drawn up by the Congress member who was appointed Rapporteur for the mission. (more...)
His or her report deals not only with the procedures and facts observed on election day, particularly during the voting and vote-counting, but also with the general political situation in the country, including the state of fundamental rights and freedoms, the atmosphere which prevailed during the election campaign and any progress noted on the democracy front.
This report is submitted to the Bureau of the Congress. It is subsequently assessed and adopted by the Congress in plenary session. A recommendation (to the national authorities) and resolution (to the local and regional authorities) mark the end of the observation exercise.The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has been taking part in the observer missions for local elections in the 46 Council of Europe member countries and beyond since 1990, and for example it was also involved in election observations in Israel in 2008.
The Congress has conducted almost 100 election observation missions to date. Observing local elections is one of the Congress's action priorities. This activity complements the political monitoring of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, which constitutes the cornerstone of local democracy in Europe.
1957 : First Conference of Local Authorities
1985 : European Charter of Local Self-Government
1994 : The Standing Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe becomes the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE)
2007 : Adoption of the Congress new Charter
2011: The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopts the new Congress Charter
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and Georgia
Georgia is represented in the Congress by a delegation of 5 representatives and 5 substitutes.
