“This vital initiative will actively defend democracy—especially at the local level,” underlined Congress President Marc Cools welcoming the launch of the European Observatory for the Defence of Democracy at the Local Level, in Brussels on 11 December 2025.

Speaking at the launching ceremony organised by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), he pointed out that European democracies were threatened today by a “perfect storm” – from war and climate crises to geopolitical shifts and disinformation. The President highlighted in this regard declining voter turnout, rising extremist forces, and growing threats—online and offline—against local elected officials. “These attacks endanger local governance and citizens’ trust,” he stressed.

President Cools called for robust monitoring and action, citing the Council of Europe’s New Democratic Pact for Europe as a key initiative to strengthen democratic foundations, transparency, civic participation and electoral integrity.