Discover the latest news from the Council of Europe on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Browse news and updates by country, theme and institution.
‘Democracy is not a winner-takes-all system’, says PACE’s Albana Vokshi
“A majority has the right to govern, but it does not have the right to dominate.” PACE member Albana Vokshi (Albania, EPP/CD) stressed that democracy was not simply about holding elections, but also about limiting the power of those who win, ensuring accountability and protecting the rights of...
Council of Europe Congress adopts recommendations on elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Republika Srpska), the Netherlands, Serbia and the United Kingdom
In a joint debate on election observation missions, on 28 October 2026 during its 51st session in Strasbourg, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe adopted...
Congress adopts early-warning instruments against democratic backsliding at local and regional level
Instruments form part of the Congress’ contribution to the Council of Europe’s New Democratic Pact
Serbia’s early parliamentary elections saw high turnout amid a polarised environment and unequal campaign opportunities, international observers say
Serbia’s 25 October early parliamentary elections saw active citizen engagement, with high voter turnout and vigorous competition between two main contenders, but unfolded in an atmosphere of profound polarisation, with equality of campaign opportunities seriously compromised, international...
Electoral Officials in ATU Gagauzia better prepared for the2026 Regional Elections
Free, fair and credible elections depend on the professionalism, integrity and preparedness of electoral officials. In the context of the regional elections for the People’s Assembly and the...
PACE to observe the early parliamentary elections in Serbia
20-member delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by Piero Fassino (Italy, SOC), will travel to Serbia from 23 to 26 October to observe the conduct of the early parliamentary elections, alongside observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, European...
Strengthening electoral justice in the Republic of Moldova: lessons from previous elections
Around 30 Moldovan judges, prosecutors and specialised electoral officials from the Central Electoral Commission strengthened their capacity to resolve electoral disputes, fairly, consistently...
Strengthening knowledge and skills of electoral officials on administrative procedures
A workshop on administrative procedures and electoral disputes was held in Chișinău on 15 October 2026, bringing together 25 representatives of the Central Electoral Commission of the Republic...
A PACE pre-electoral delegation highlights a highly polarised campaign ahead of Serbia’s early parliamentary elections
“The electoral campaign in Serbia is taking place in a highly polarised environment that could undermine a level playing field for contestants,” said a pre-electoral delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), headed by Piero Fassino (Italy, SOC), ending a two-day...
Strengthening reporting skills: Journalists’ Electoral School
Around 20 representatives of regional and national media took part in the Electoral School for Journalists, held in Comrat, ATU Gagauzia. The two-day programme focused on the legal framework,...
PACE delegation makes pre-electoral visit to Serbia
A five-member delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by Piero Fassino (Italy, SOC), will make a pre-electoral visit to Serbia on 12-13 October to assess the election campaign and political climate prior to the early parliamentary elections on 25 October. In...
Central Election Commission validates its 2027–2031 Strategic Plan and Education Strategy with Council of Europe support
The Council of Europe supported the Central Election Commission (CEC) in validating and operationalising its Strategic Plan, and Education Strategy (2027-2031) at a two-day workshop. Building...
Genuine competition in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s elections in fragmented political environment and with difficulties in electoral administration, international observers say
There was genuine competition in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 4 October general elections and contestants were largely able to reach voters. The political landscape is deeply fragmented, characterised by conflicting narratives still rooted in wartime divisions, the international election observers...
Parliamentary Assembly elects Svjetlana Milišić-Veličkovski judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) today elected Svjetlana Milišić-Veličkovski as judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ms Milišić-Veličkovski, having obtained a majority of votes cast, is elected judge of the European Court of...
Election simulations give citizens across Bosnia and Herzegovina first-hand experience of new voting procedures
Thousands of citizens across Bosnia and Herzegovina had the opportunity to experience the new voting procedures ahead of the 2026 General Elections through a nationwide series of practical...
Kosovo* elections were calm and orderly but revealed persistent structural challenges, says Parliamentary Assembly delegation
“The early parliamentary elections of 7 June 2026 were conducted in a calm, orderly and professional manner, without major incidents,” says a PACE election observation report presented by rapporteur Iulian Bulai (Romania, ALDE). The report notes that “the Central Election Commission administered...
Elections in Armenia: society has demonstrated its democratic resilience despite the shortcomings observed and unprecedented external pressures
According to the election observation report presented today in plenary session by Damien Cottier (Switzerland, ALDE), the 7 June 2026 parliamentary elections in Armenia offered voters “a genuine choice among political alternatives in a well-run process”. The Armenian people have chosen the pro...
PACE to observe the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina
A 20-member delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by Jone Blikra (Norway, SOC), will travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2 to 5 October to observe the conduct of the general elections, alongside observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, European...
Elections in Morocco: orderly voting but serious challenges remain for representative democracy, say PACE observers
Morocco’s parliamentary elections offered voters a broad political choice and voting was efficiently administered, a PACE observer delegation said today. Yet turnout was only 38.02% of registered voters – equivalent to fewer than one in four Moroccans of voting age. Together with the significant...
PACE pre-electoral delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes electoral reforms but warns of continuing challenges
A pre-electoral delegation* from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) visited Bosnia and Herzegovina from 15 to 17 September 2026 to assess the electoral and political environment ahead of the general elections scheduled for 4 October 2026. The...
*All references to Kosovo, whether the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nation's Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.