Addressing the 50th plenary sitting of the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge emphasised the crucial role of the Congress in defending democracy:
“While the rules-based order is fading and there is a crisis of democratic confidence, the New Democratic Pact for Europe helps shape a balanced response to those threats, and you, the Congress, play an important role with a strong focus on elections, deliberative democracy, local democracy, and youth participation.
“I know you are committed to this process, and you have organised rounds of consultations and that a written contribution will formally be adopted in October.”
Deputy Secretary General Berge thanked the outgoing President of the Congress, Marc Cools, for his strong leadership and commitment to the values of the Council of Europe. He also welcomed Gunn Marit Helgesen who was elected as the new President “bringing a wealth of experience in a crucial period for Europe and for the world.”
The Deputy Secretary General’s address was followed by questions from representatives of local and regional authorities from across Europe.
The Congress session’s agenda includes Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction at local and regional level, debates on ensuring free local and regional elections, tackling violence against elected officials, safeguarding local democracy in Georgia and delivering social rights at local and regional levels. The Congress is also debating the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights by local and regional authorities, the use of artificial intelligence, health access under pressure and regional history teaching. It also elected its new leadership and welcomed new national delegations with a five-year mandate.
