The convergence of extremist, autocratic and oligarchic threats to democracy in Europe

Motion for a resolution | Doc. 16331 | 26 January 2026

Signatories:

Mr George PAPANDREOU, Greece, SOC ; Ms Kolbrún Áslaugar BALDURSDÓTTIR, Iceland, SOC ; Ms Aysu BANKOĞLU, Türkiye, SOC ; Ms Petra BAYR, Austria, SOC ; Mr Titus CORLĂŢEAN, Romania, SOC ; Mr Yves CRUCHTEN, Luxembourg, SOC ; Ms Edite ESTRELA, Portugal, SOC ; Mr Piero FASSINO, Italy, SOC ; Mr Gerardo GIOVAGNOLI, San Marino, SOC ; Ms Gökçe GÖKÇEN, Türkiye, SOC ; Ms Kristina IKIĆ BANIČEK, Croatia, SOC ; Mr Mogens JENSEN, Denmark, SOC ; Mr Mattias JONSSON, Sweden, SOC ; Mr Julian JOSWIG, Germany, SOC ; Ms Saskia KLUIT, Netherlands, SOC ; Ms Bisera KOSTADINOVSKA-STOJCHEVSKA, North Macedonia, SOC ; Mr Christophe LACROIX, Belgium, SOC ; Mr Dimitrios MANTZOS, Greece, SOC ; Mr Didier MARIE, France, SOC ; Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO, Spain, SOC ; Mr Fabian MOLINA, Switzerland, SOC ; Ms Wanda NOWICKA, Poland, SOC ; Mr Sigurður Helgi PÁLMASON, Iceland, SOC ; Ms Filiz POLAT, Germany, SOC ; Mr Roberto SPERANZA, Italy, SOC ; Mr Georgios STAMATIS, Greece, EPP/CD ; Mr Namık TAN, Türkiye, SOC ; Ms Gala VELDHOEN, Netherlands, SOC ; Mr Francesco VERDUCCI, Italy, SOC

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

Democracy in Europe is increasingly threatened by the convergence of actors representing extremist ideologies, autocratic influence, and oligarchic powers. These forces often collaborate across borders – politically, financially, legally, and digitally – to undermine democratic institutions, erode human rights and dismantle the rule of law.

A central tactic is the scapegoating of vulnerable groups, including members of minority groups, notably migrants and LGBTQI+ persons, as well as women, and human rights and environmental defenders, as well as the use of targeted violence and vandalism to fuel division and destabilisation. Evidence shows rising collusion among networks promoting anti-democratic and extremist agendas, foreign-backed legal initiatives, and disinformation campaigns that weaken public trust and consolidate anti-democratic control.

The Parliamentary Assembly should investigate how such forces operate in co-ordination to erode democracy, and identify both internal and external threats – including European actors active abroad who support anti-democratic efforts in other regions.

In this context, the Assembly should analyse the tactics, co-ordination, funding, and legal strategies of these forces, including their disinformation, harassment, and collusion mechanisms; document the instrumentalisation and impact of attacks on targeted groups, and of other violent actions; examine cross-border networks, financial flows, and case studies within and beyond Council of Europe member States; map the influence of extremist and anti-democratic groups and Europe-based actors aiming to destabilise democracies elsewhere; propose recommendations to strengthen resilience, protect targeted groups, and safeguard democratic security and governance.

The relevant report should be based on evidence gathered from civil society, journalists, academia, whistleblowers, and Council of Europe bodies and monitoring mechanisms. It should offer both preventive and remedial strategies and be presented at the earliest opportunity to enable co-ordinated action by member States.