Critical infrastructure constitutes the backbone of modern democratic societies. Energy systems, heating networks, transport, water supply, telecommunications and digital infrastructure ensure the functioning of democratic institutions, the provision of essential services and the daily life of citizens across Europe.
In recent years, Europe has faced a growing number of threats to critical infrastructure and these threats increasingly originate from hostile State and non-State actors seeking to destabilise democratic societies. It is particularly concerning that attacks against civilian infrastructure have become a central feature of modern conflicts and hybrid warfare. The large-scale destruction of energy and heating infrastructure in Ukraine following the aggression of the Russian Federation has demonstrated how such attacks can deliberately target civilian populations.
Disruptions to essential services such as electricity, heating, water supply, communication networks have far-reaching social and political consequences. They undermine public trust in democratic institutions, weaken economic stability and create humanitarian crises. These developments highlight that the protection of critical infrastructure is no longer solely a technical or economic issue.
Strengthening the resilience and protection of critical infrastructure must become a strategic priority for European democracies, particularly in the context of hybrid threats, geopolitical tensions and security challenges.
The Council of Europe, as the organisation for the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, has an important role to play in promoting co-operation among member States to address threats and to develop common standards and best practices.
The Assembly should therefore examine how Council of Europe member States can strengthen the protection, resilience and democratic governance of critical infrastructure, opposing the hybrid threats and geopolitical instability.