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Congress assists Ukraine in updating its long-term vision for multilevel governance system
Congress Secretary General Mathieu Mori outlined the unwavering support the Congress offers to Ukraine and priorities of co-operation for advancing Ukraine’s reform agenda at the International Cohesion Forum “Creating the Future”. One of the main such priorities of co-operation is the revision of...
Transparency and time: stability of electoral law necessary to ensure trust in democratic processes
“Frequent or late changes in electoral laws undermine citizens’ trust in electoral processes and can lead voters to believe that the game is “rigged”, which is detrimental to democracy at all levels of government”, stressed Stewart Dickson (United-Kingdom, ILDG), Congress Spokesperson on the...
Council of Europe Congress Rapporteur deeply concerned by constitutional amendment in Hungary
Peter Drenth (Netherlands, EPP/CCE), Deputy Standing Rapporteur on Human Rights of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, has made the following statement: “I deeply regret the adoption of a constitutional amendment on 14 April in Hungary that enshrines the...
Republic of Moldova: Launch of Regional Academies to increase civil participation in decision making
As part of its project on promoting civil participation in political decision making, the Congress has launched Regional Academies in the Republic of Moldova for local authority leaders and civil society. In the first Regional Academy organised by the Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance...
Congress kicks off new project on open government and participatory democracy in Kosovo*
On 14 April in Pristina, the Congress launched its new project on “Strengthening multilevel governance and participatory democracy", during the first Forum of Exchange which brought together representatives of the Ministry of Local Government Administration, the Association of Kosovo...
Congress : High level of trust in institutions in local elections in Finland
A 19-member Congress election observation delegation, led by Gobnait Ni Mhuimneacain (Ireland, ILDG), concluded yesterday its mission to observe the municipal and county elections which were held in Finland on Sunday 13 April 2025. On election day, nine Congress teams visited some 110 randomly...
Ukraine: Council of Europe Congress assesses local capacities to protect human rights during the war
The impact of the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine on human rights delivery in Ukrainian communities was the focus of an assessment report prepared by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. The report assessed the role and capacities of...
Council of Europe Congress Rapporteur: “We must overcome discrimination against Roma and Travellers to achieve their full inclusion”
Ahead of this year’s International Roma Day (8 April), Mélanie Lepoultier (France, ILDG), Deputy Standing Rapporteur on Human Rights of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, has made the following statement: “With around 6 million people, Roma and Travellers are...
Regional Forum on Sustainable Development 2025: Congress calls for stronger role of local governments in global sustainability and social rights
“With more than 60% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved at the local level, local and regional authorities must be recognised as key partners in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda”, stressed Congress Vice-President and co-rapporteur of the Recommendation REC 528 (2025),...
Congress examines the application of the European Charter of Self-Government in Greece
A delegation from the Congress composed of rapporteurs Tanja Joona (Finland, ILDG) and Katrien Partyka (Belgium, EPP/CCE), will conduct the second part of the monitoring visit to Greece from 7 to 9 April 2025. The rapporteurs will hold political exchanges with national and local authorities in...
Secretary General Mori presents to the Committee of Ministers recent Congress action in support of Ukraine and local democracy in Europe
In his communication to the Committee of Ministers on 2 April 2025, Congress Secretary General Mathieu Mori presented the highlights of the Congress’ 48th session, focusing on support to Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction, action to strengthen local and regional democracy as well as fighting...
Congress Rapporteur: Improving regional history teaching helps against democratic backsliding
“History, memory and attachment to democracy are all connected – and deeply rooted – in the communities in which we live. So, we need to teach regional history effectively, steeped in European values,” stressed Peter Drenth (Netherlands, EPP/CCE), Congress Rapporteur on regional history teaching...
The Congress is concerned about the housing crisis in European cities
The number of homeless people has doubled in a number of European countries in recent years, particularly between 2010 and 2023. On 27 March, the Congress organised a debate on the subject, which drew a very large turnout from its members, all of whom were concerned about the rising cost of...
Bosnia and Herzegovina should re-open inclusive negotiations on comprehensive electoral and constitutional reform, says Congress
Bosnia and Herzegovina should pursue efforts to re-open political cross-party negotiations on electoral law and constitutional reform to address longstanding discriminatory provisions and shortcomings, as well as reinforce the capacities of the election administration, the transparency of...
European cities and regions on the front line in the fight against human trafficking
Providing cities and regions with the means to combat ‘modern slavery’ in Europe is a key issue for the Congress, which on 26 March 2025, at its 48th session, unanimously adopted a resolution and a recommendation aimed at improving the identification of victims and the eradication of practices of...
Congress urges Türkiye to release detained mayors and stop their dismissals and detention
In a Declaration adopted today following an urgent debate, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has called on the Turkish authorities to stop prosecuting and detaining elected representatives from opposition parties; release current detainees, including Mayor of...
In a worsening climate context, the Congress addresses the issue of water management
Global warming and poorly thought-out urban planning are affecting more and more Europeans. This affects countries in the South of the continent in particular, with a lack of access to quality drinking water and water for agricultural and industrial needs. On 26 March 2025, during its 48th...
Luxembourg's Minister of the Interior: “A strong local democracy is the best guardian against democratic erosion”
Léon Gloden, Luxembourg's Minister of the Interior, addressed on 26 March 2025 the 48th session of the Congress on behalf of his country’s Presidency of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers. Presenting the Presidency’s priorities, he underlined that Europe must “reaffirm its commitment...
Local government must act now against foreign interference in elections: Council of Europe Congress
The Congress of the Council of Europe has called on local, regional and national authorities to reorientate their priorities and take a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to tackling foreign interference in electoral processes at local and regional levels. The call features in the conclusions...
Chilando Chitangala: “The European Charter of Local Self-Government could help us strengthen our local democracy”
No matter where they are, cities on every continent and in every country are all facing common challenges, including in their dealings with central government. A debate on “local and regional democracy around the world” on Tuesday 25 March reminded us that the principles of local self-government,...
