Strasbourg, 14.09.2012 – To mark its support for the UN International Day of Democracy on 15 September, the Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted the following statement:

“The perception of a decline in democratic values triggered by the economic and financial crisis is growing in Europe and beyond. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has for some time been sounding the alarm, pointing to the diminishing trust of citizens in democratic institutions and political leadership, low electoral turnouts and increasing popular support for, xenophobic and populist parties. With the gap between citizens and their democratic institutions widening, the Assembly hails this year’s Day of Democracy focus on dialogue and inclusiveness as central factors for democracy. (more...)