(AGENPARL) – Tue 14 October 2025 Image                                                                            Image                                                                                                      
** PRESS RELEASE 
————————————————————
Ref. CG064(2025)
CEMR and the Congress for Local and Regional Authorities Call for Stronger Democratic Resilience in the Digital Age  
Marc Cools, President of the Congress, said: “The Pact has a vision of Europe – one where democracy is participatory and resilient. This vision may only be realised if local and regional authorities are recognised as key to this effort.” 
Gunn Marit Helgesen, CEMR President, added:
“Disinformation doesn’t just mislead — it derails local decision-making and erodes trust. Local governments must be equipped to defend democratic dialogue.”
By engaging governments, civil society, and citizens in a broad consultation process through 2026, the Pact seeks to renew Europe’s democratic foundations, to strengthen democratic resilience, rebuild public trust, and provide tools to protect democratic dialogue and citizen engagement.
During the event, the CEMR also announced the launch of the European Observatory for the Defense of Democracy at the Local Level (ODAL), a collaborative initiative co-ordinated by CEMR with Bocconi University, Bilbao and EUDEL, and the Basque Government to monitor and address threats against mayors and local leaders.
For media inquiries, interviews or more information, please contact:
CEMR     
Fiorella Lavorgna   
Council of Europe Congress
Dmitri Marchenkov
Image
Image
______________________
Council of Europe/Conseil de l’Europe, Avenue de l’Europe, Strasbourg, . 67000 France