02/11/2026 President
Opening the World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg, PACE President Petra Bayr warned that the most dangerous threats to democracy often go unnoticed. “The most dangerous threats to democracy make no noise at all”, she said, pointing to disinformation, weakening institutions and the gradual erosion of trust. “That is how democracy dies today. Not with a bang. With a click.”
Ms Bayr stressed that young people must have a meaningful role in shaping democratic decisions, highlighting the challenges they face and the importance of investing in their participation. “Young people must not only talk about the future. They must help decide it”, she said. “A seat at the table is not enough. You need a voice in the decision.” The PACE President also warned that “a democracy that does not invest in its young people has no future”.
Calling for citizens and institutions to take responsibility for democracy, Ms Bayr said that democratic resilience depends on everyday actions, from questioning information and listening to different opinions to considering the common good. “Democracy has no emergency button. It has us”, she concluded, urging participants to turn their discussions at the 14th World Forum for Democracy into concrete action.