Stronger local democracy is essential to building democratic resilience in the Republic of Moldova, Congress Vice-President Konstantinos Koukas (Greece, EPP/CCE) stressed at the 15th Annual Meeting of the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP), held in Chișinău on 14–15 September 2026.

Speaking on 14 September on countering foreign information manipulation and interference, Vice-President Koukas highlighted the risks posed by disinformation, cyberattacks and the misuse of new technologies, including artificial intelligence. Referring to Congress Recommendation 525 (2025) on foreign interference in local and regional elections, he stressed the importance of protecting citizens’ democratic choices, supporting independent local and regional media and strengthening media literacy. “The answer to information manipulation is not less democracy. It is stronger democracy,” he said.

On 15 September, Mr Koukas took part in the inaugural meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee between the European Committee of the Regions and the Republic of Moldova, focusing on the country’s EU accession process and public administration reform. Referring to the Congress’s 2025 monitoring report on the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, he underlined the need for clear local competences, adequate financial resources, stronger administrative capacity and meaningful consultation with local authorities.

The Congress continues to support the Republic of Moldova’s reform efforts and to strengthen local democracy in the context of the country’s European integration process.