44th Session - 21 to 23 March 2023
War in Ukraine: Congress adopts a strong declaration
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe unanimously adopted on 21 March 2023 a Declaration to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s war against Ukraine, presented by the Congress President and Rapporteur on The Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine, Leendert...
Local and regional democracy in Romania: Congress rapporteurs welcome plans for the ratification of the Additional Protocol to the Charter
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities rapporteurs March Cools and David Eray have welcomed the announcement by Attila-Zoltán Cseke, Minister for Development, Public Works and Administration of Romania, that the country will ratify the Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local...
For or against the direct election of mayors
On 22 March 2023, during the 44th session of the Congress, the Chamber of Local Authorities held again a debate on the question of the direct election of mayors. In 2004, the Congress expressed its support for direct election, however, the system is not unanimously accepted by all the member...
Congress recommendation on Reykjavik Summit: Local and regional authorities contribute to embedding democracy and human rights at grassroots level
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities adopted on 22 March 2023 its recommendation on “the future of the Council of Europe and the role of the Congress therein” as contribution to the Council of Europe Summit to be held in Reykjavik on 16 and 17 May. The recommendation calls on Heads of...
Often called Senate, do the second chambers of national parliaments sufficiently represent regional interests?
During a debate held on this theme by the Chamber of Regions of Congress on 22 March, several speakers reviewed the benefits and the drawbacks of such assemblies, drawing on specific examples. For Rafael Bustos Gisbert, a Spanish member of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, the...
The future of democracy in young people’s hands
A thematic debate was held on 22 March 2023 in the Chamber of Local Authorities on strengthening Europe’s democratic institutions through youth engagement at local level. From lowering the voting age to getting young people properly involved in the decision-making process at local level, several...
44th Congress plenary session : War against Ukraine, future of the Council of Europe, youth engagement at local level, protection of the environment on the agenda of the session
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will hold its 44th Session from 21 to 23 March 2023 in Strasbourg, France. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Tiny...
Cantonal elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Congress welcomes generally peaceful and well organised elections but highlights some areas for improvement
At its 44th Plenary Session, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe today adopted a report following a mission carried out by a 15-member delegation to observe the Cantonal elections held on 2 October 2022 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. On the Election Day, nine teams...
Local elections in Slovenia: Calm, inclusive and well-organised, but too many mayors re-elected without competition
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe today adopted a recommendation following the visit of a 19-member delegation to the Republic of Slovenia to observe the local elections held on Sunday 20 November 2022. On election day, eight Congress teams were deployed to...
Regions as driving change in environmental protection
More and more regions in Europe are putting in place “regional strategies for the environment,” as became clear during a debate on the theme held on Wednesday 22 March by the Chamber of Regions of the Congress. While some measures are part of national or European plans, others are based on...
Localising the sustainable development goals – a priority for the Congress
On 22 March, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities debated and voted on a recommendation calling on national governments to step up the localisation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As we approach the mid-term review of Agenda 2030 at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF)...
44th Session, Day 1: Ukraine, 4th Summit in Reykjavik, observation of elections in Berlin
In his communication at the opening of the 44th session on 21 March in Strasbourg, the President Verbeek deplored the outrageous war of aggression that is still hitting Ukraine after more than one year. The Congress members unanimously adopted a Declaration on the Russian Federation’s war against...
Andrew Boff: “Local authorities need to be prepared to face multiple, simultaneous crises”
With the pandemic, climate change, economic turmoil and the war in Ukraine, Europe has rarely faced so many simultaneous crises as in recent years, and local authorities are often on the front line. “As we cannot prevent crises, are we well enough prepared to deal with them?” asked Andrew Boff...
Repeat elections in Berlin: Congress praises professionally run polls but recommends standardisation of election day procedures
At its 44th plenary session, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe today adopted a recommendation following the visit by a 14‑member delegation to Berlin to observe the repeat elections held there on 12 February 2023. On Election day, six Congress teams visited...
Solidarity with earthquake victims
On 6 February, two earthquakes measuring 7.8 and 7.5 hit south-eastern Türkiye and Syria, leaving more than 45,000 dead, over 3 million displaced and thousands of buildings, including hospitals and schools destroyed. On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, on the occasion of the Congress’ 44th Session, a...
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Suspension of flights from and to Strasbourg airport from 14 March 2023 to 14 April 2023 included
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