The European Commission for Democracy through Law, widely known as the Venice Commission, the Council of Europe's advisory body on constitutional matters, celebrated on 11 October its 35th anniversary with a major ceremony and exhibition in Venice.

The high-profile event took place at Palazzo Ducale and was attended by numerous dignitaries, including the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella; the President of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova; the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu; the President of the Venice Commission, Claire Bazy Malaurie.

They were joined by Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset; Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Italy and Mayor of Venice Luigi Brugnaro.

The ceremony underlined the engagement of Council of Europe protecting human rights and defending democracy and highlighted the Venice Commission in defending rule of law and the important work in constitutional design of many States over the past three and an half decade.

On the same day, an exhibition titled "Democracy through law: from the Serenissima to the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe" was inaugurated at the Doge's Apartments. The exhibition, open until January 6, 2026, connects the history of the rule of law under the historic Serenissima Republic to the Commission's contemporary work.

Founded on May 10, 1990, the Venice Commission of the Council of Eruope maintains a fundamental connection to Venice. It was in this city, 35 years ago, that Italy proposed the creation of the advisory body. This legacy is honoured by the Commission holding its plenary sessions in Venice four times a year at the Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista.