Strasbourg, 27.06.2012 – While a sound State is not usually possible without a lively and strong democracy, a strong democracy also needs a sound State in order to be able to meet the expectations of the citizens, especially by providing social justice, says PACE in a resolution adopted today, during its biennial debate on the state of democracy in Europe.

Drawing on the conclusions of the rapporteur Andreas Gross (Switzerland, SOC), the adopted text provides pointers for developing democracy at the transnational level, for making States more accountable and for restoring the primary role of political institutions. Such institutions were not able to anticipate, prevent and adequately react to the crisis without causing hardship to the people whom they were meant to protect, noted the parliamentarians. Intervention by national governments to prevent the disintegration of the financial markets has increased sovereign debts, placing an additional tax burden on citizens and further eroding their trust. (more...)

See also:
World Forum for Democracy - Strasbourg, 5-11 October 2012