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Moldovan Minister Popșoi sees fragmented international environment as undermining multilateralism

Moldovan Minister Popșoi sees fragmented international environment as undermining multilateralism

28/01/2026 | Session

Speaking at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister of Moldova Mihai Popșoi highlighted the achievements of the Committee of Ministers and the priorities of the Moldovan Presidency, under the motto “For a Europe of peace and...

Strengthening socialisation, inclusion and democratic values in schools

Strengthening socialisation, inclusion and democratic values in schools

28/01/2026 | Session

The Parliamentary Assembly today emphasised that learning and practising democracy should be “a core political priority in the education system” in order to help young people gain trust in democracy and engage in democratic citizenship. By adopting a resolution based on the report by Luz Martínez...

PACE unanimously rejects a new protocol on involuntary measures in mental health

PACE unanimously rejects a new protocol on involuntary measures in mental health

28/01/2026 | Session

PACE has unanimously said it is against a new draft protocol on the involuntary placement and involuntary treatment of persons in mental healthcare services, pointing out it would “make it more difficult to abolish coercive practices” in such settings. The Assembly had been asked by the...

PACE remembers the victims of the Holocaust, and reflects on its lessons for today

PACE remembers the victims of the Holocaust, and reflects on its lessons for today

27/01/2026 | Session

PACE today remembered the victims of the Holocaust in a moving ceremony during which many speakers reflected on its lessons for today. Lord Alf Dubs, who in June 1939 at the age of six escaped the Holocaust on a Kindertransport train from occupied Europe, recalled that journey and spoke of the...

Secretary General Alain Berset addresses PACE: 'Democratic security is our continent’s answer to the emerging world order'

Secretary General Alain Berset addresses PACE: 'Democratic security is our continent’s answer to the...

27/01/2026 | Session

The opening session of PACE remains a cornerstone event of European democracy. Parliamentarians from across the whole continent come together to debate the direction of a common European democratic future - a future with a ruptured world order. This was highlighted by the Council of Europe’s...

 Maia Sandu: ‘Two wars are being waged against European democracy’

Maia Sandu: ‘Two wars are being waged against European democracy’

27/01/2026 | Session

Addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe today, the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, warned that Europe faces two wars: Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; and an equally dangerous, less visible hybrid war involving disinformation, cyberattacks, and...

Ensuring safe, sound and credible elections in times of crisis

Ensuring safe, sound and credible elections in times of crisis

27/01/2026 | Session

PACE today emphasised the need to further develop frameworks and practices capable of “delivering safe, technically sound and credible elections”, while safeguarding fundamental rights and ensuring public confidence in electoral processes. Parliamentarians stated that polarisation, disinformation...

PACE urges reforms to safeguard democratic institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina

PACE urges reforms to safeguard democratic institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina

27/01/2026 | Session

The Parliamentary Assembly today said it remained concerned about “recent developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, marked by attacks against the State, the rule of law and the institutions established following the General Framework Agreement for Peace”, while also emphasizing “cause for hope...

PACE denounces Russia’s ‘intensification of suffering’ in Ukraine

PACE denounces Russia’s ‘intensification of suffering’ in Ukraine

27/01/2026 | Session

PACE has denounced Russia’s lack of genuine willingness to end its war of aggression against Ukraine and strongly condemned the “intensification of violence and suffering” to which it is subjecting the country. Approving a resolution based on a report by Piero Fassino (Italy, SOC), the Assembly...

Petra Bayr elected President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Petra Bayr elected President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

26/01/2026 | Session

Petra Bayr (Austria, SOC) has been elected today President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for a one-year term of office, which may be renewed once. She obtained an absolute majority in the first round of voting with 164 votes to 50 for the other candidate, Victoria...

 PACE reviews the work of its subsidiary bodies since the last session

PACE reviews the work of its subsidiary bodies since the last session

26/01/2026 | Session

The lists of candidates for the post of judge at the European Court of Human Rights submitted by Cyprus and the Netherlands; the modalities for the implementation of Assembly Resolution 2621 (2025) on Russian democratic forces; as well as the observation of the elections in the Republic of...

'Too many have forgotten the importance of international law’

‘Too many have forgotten the importance of international law’

26/01/2026 | Session

“To listen to the rhetoric and news in these last weeks and months, it seems that too many have forgotten the importance of international law and international justice, forgotten that these are the shared values of our community, and forgotten above all that humanity is at the heart of our system...