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), the committee highlights that attacks against politicians — whether physical, psychological, sexual or economic, online or offline — can “have a chilling effect on democratic participation in political life”.
Politicians “may feel compelled to alter their behaviour, limit their participation in public events, or reduce their engagement with constituents” while individuals “considering entering politics may be deterred by violence: this reduces pluralism and representativeness, and affects the quality of democratic processes”.
The draft resolution stresses that “violence has no place in democracy” and that any violent attack on a politician, regardless of political affiliation, “should be considered as an attack on democracy itself.” It notes that certain groups “including women politicians and representatives of minority groups, are disproportionately targeted” and deserve particular attention.
The committee calls on states to adopt robust legislation recognising “the different forms of violence against politicians as specific criminal offences”. It also urges them to ensure adequate resources for law enforcement and the judiciary and to protect politicians' physical and psychological wellbeing. States should also regulate the digital and media landscape to counter hate speech and incitement to violence, while safeguarding freedom of expression and ensuring transparency, due process and effective remedies.
The draft resolution also emphasises that politicians themselves “must lead by example, refrain from using inflammatory, dehumanising rhetoric and from inciting violence”, and invites national parliaments and political parties to adopt dedicated codes of conduct.
The full Assembly is due to debate the report in due course.