The Congress Group of Independent Experts on the European Charter of Local Self-Government (GIE) held its 2021 annual meeting on 16 and 17 September in a hybrid format, with members present in Strasbourg as well as connected remotely to the meeting.
Against the background of recent developments in local and regional democracy, key topics were the monitoring of the European Charter of Local Self-Government and the observation of local and regional elections by the Congress, constitutional and legislative matters as well as on-going and future activities in the framework of the Congress’ political priorities.
Special attention was given to the question of legal personality of local public entities in the light of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, the situation of independent candidates and opposition in local and regional elections, the issue of environment and human rights in the local context, deliberative democracy, and smart cities and regions.
The GIE brings together experts from each of the 47 member states of the Council of Europe, competent in legal, political or financial fields, who are specialised in issues on local and regional democracy. They provide legal assistance to the Congress within its political mission, in particular to its Monitoring, Current Affairs and Governance Committees.
