21/05/2026 | Political Affairs and Democracy
The Committee on Political Affairs, meeting in Paris on 20 May, strongly condemned “the brutal, murderous and systematic repression of the protests” that began in Iran in December 2025 and the intensification of this repression since the beginning of the armed conflict in February 2026 with...
21/05/2026 | Political Affairs and Democracy
PACE Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy has adopted a draft report stressing that artificial intelligence (AI) brings both major opportunities and serious risks for democratic systems, while warning that “efforts to ensure that AI systems are safe and regulated by democratic governance...
10/03/2026 | Political Affairs and Democracy
PACE’s Political Affairs Committee is warning that violence and hate speech against politicians are a growing threat to democracy, urging greater protection for “those who decide to dedicate their time and efforts to public life”. In a draft resolution prepared by Elisabetta Gardini (Italy, ECPA...
01/03/2026 | Political Affairs and Democracy
Dora Bakoyannis (Greece, EPP/CD), PACE rapporteur on the situation in the Middle East, made the following statement today: “I am following with profound concern the outbreak of open hostilities between Israel, the United States and Iran. This escalation carries grave consequences for...
16/12/2025 | Political Affairs and Democracy
In October 2025 the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) decided to establish the Platform for Dialogue with Russian Democratic Forces, as a forum for two-way engagement between the Assembly and Russian democratic forces on issues of common concern. Following a meeting on 12...
11/12/2025 | Political Affairs and Democracy
Ukraine's security is now an “indivisible part” of Europe's security, a PACE committee has said, urging support for Ukraine’s accession to the EU which it said would constitute a security guarantee for the country – while also offering a strong incentive to Ukraine to pursue necessary reforms...
07/10/2025 | Political Affairs and Democracy
“Today marks two years since the horrific attacks of 7 October 2023, when Hamas brutally killed more than 1,200 innocent people in Israeli towns and communities and abducted 251 others. We remember those who were murdered and those who are still held captive in inhumane conditions,” said Dora...
15/09/2025 | Political Affairs and Democracy
PACE’s Political Affairs Committee has proposed the creation of a Platform for Dialogue between the Assembly and Russian democratic forces in exile. Participants in the platform – whose composition would be approved each year based on a set of criteria – would be able to hold a two-way exchange...
12/09/2025 | Political Affairs and Democracy
Against a context of democratic backsliding and waning public trust in politics, the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy has urged political parties to put themselves at the heart of democratic renewal by widening their engagement with citizens. Adopting a report by Ingjerd Schie Schou...
11/09/2025 | Political Affairs and Democracy
“The Assembly remains committed to co-operation with Kazakhstan that is based on shared values and is determined to support the country to continue its democratic reforms,” said the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy. Adopting a draft resolution based on a report by Zsolt Németh...
10/09/2025 | Political Affairs and Democracy
Statement by the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), issued today: “Joining concerns expressed by the President of the Assembly, the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of...
29/08/2025 | Political Affairs and Democracy
“The most destructive Russian bombing of Kyiv since the start of the war of aggression against Ukraine took place overnight on 28 August: sources report 23 deaths, including four children, and dozens more wounded,” today stated Piero Fassino (Italy, SOC), rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly...