The members of the Congress, meeting at the 27th Session, elected Jean-Claude Frécon (France, SOC) by acclamation as President for a two-year term of office. ''I believe that, through the political dialogue it has established with governments and, here in Strasbourg, with the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly, in line with the policy directions set by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, the Congress can persuade central governments to establish and protect local and regional democracy more effectively throughout Europe.'' A Congress member since 1994, Mr Frécon became Vice-President in 2002, headed the French delegation to the Congress from 2004 to 2012 and had been President of the Chamber of Local Authorities since 2010.  

Speech
Press release
Media Box interview - JC Frécon
Jean-Claude Frécon, newly elected president of the Congress of Local and regional Authorities (french)