PACE

Watch the highlights of the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament, which took place last week in Rome! #SpeakersSpeak

pace.coe.int‘The game-changers’ – Budapest conference focuses on how to rebuild young people’s trust in democracyRebuilding the trust of young people in democracy was the focus of a major parliamentary conference which took place today in Budapest – with recent street protests and political change driven by stud...

"The game-changers" – Budapest conference focuses on how to rebuild young people’s trust in democracy. More: pace.coe.int/en/news/10485 Conference web page: pace.coe.int/en/pages/you...

pace.coe.intSerbia’s early parliamentary elections saw high turnout amid a polarised environment and unequal campaign opportunities, international observers saySerbia’s 25 October early parliamentary elections saw active citizen engagement, with high voter turnout and vigorous competition between two main contenders, but unfolded in an atmosphere of profound...

Serbia’s early parliamentary elections saw "high turnout amid a polarised environment and unequal campaign opportunities", said international observers, including a team from PACE. Their full statement: pace.coe.int/en/news/1048...

The head of the PACE observer team Piero Fassino (Italy, SOC) said: "Through their extraordinary participation, Serbian citizens have brought about historic change – they have expressed a clear desire for change."

He added: "These elections open a new chapter for Serbia and send a powerful message: the Serbian people want to play an active role in shaping a democracy grounded in the rule of law and respect for human rights. We call on the newly-elected authorities to live up to the trust placed in them."

Did #Serbia's parliamentary elections meet international standards? Watch LIVE in half an hour (15h CET) as international observers, including a 20-member team from PACE headed by @pierofassino, give their preliminary conclusions at a Belgrade presser... youtube.com/live/TOlfvnK...

pace.coe.intPACE Standing Committee to meet in MontenegroThe Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which acts on behalf of the Assembly between sessions and brings together around 60 parliamentarians from the Coun...

The PACE Standing Committee - which brings together the Assembly's leading members - meets in Budva on 27 November, as #Montenegro begins its @coe.int Presidency. Find out more... pace.coe.int/en/news/1048...

Today is Intersex Awareness Day! A good day to remind governments it's time @coe.int and PACE recommendations on the rights of #intersex persons are enshrined in law. Full statement by the Assembly's General Rapporteur on #LGBTI rights @kateosbornemp.bsky.social: pace.coe.int/en/news/1048...

The Rome Speakers’ Conference is getting under way now! Watch LIVE and on replay via YouTube in French or English: youtube.com/playlist?list=… Or in other languages here: webtv.camera.it/evento/32468

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PACE@pace.coe.int

Benvenuti a Roma! Speakers and Presidents of Parliament from the 46 @coe.int member states and beyond meet next week in Rome for a European summit to discuss: * threats against democracy * the challenge of AI * renewing the rules-based international order #SpeakersSpeak2026

pace.coe.intPACE President Petra Bayr, ending official visit to Türkiye: ‘Dialogue is not a favour, it is a duty’Petra Bayr, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), ending a two-day official visit to Türkiye, has said talks with Turkish counterparts were intensive and focused...

@pace-president.bsky.social Petra Bayr, ending an official visit to #Türkiye: “Dialogue is not a favour, it is a duty”. Read her full statement: pace.coe.int/en/news/1046...

A PACE “pre-electoral” delegation highlights a highly polarised campaign ahead of #Serbia’s early parliamentary elections. Read the full statement: pace.coe.int/en/news/1046...

⚖️ US sanctions against the International Criminal Court are “an attack on the independence and integrity of the ICC,” warns PACE rapporteur Tekke Panman. He calls for their immediate revocation and urges the EU to activate its Blocking Statute. 🔗 Full statement: pace.coe.int/en/news/1046...

pace.coe.intChrista Pike’s horrifying experience ‘a reminder that it is time to move towards full abolition of the death penalty’On the eve of the 24th World Day Against the Death Penalty (10 October), PACE General Rapporteur on the abolition of the death penalty Gala Veldhoen (Netherlands, SOC) made the following statement: “L...

PACE’s @galaveldhoen.bsky.social on #AntiDeathPenaltyDay: #ChristaPike’s horrifying experience must serve as “a reminder that it is time to move towards full abolition of the death penalty”. Read her full statement: pace.coe.int/en/news/10463/…

After today's announcement of new US sanctions against the International Criminal Court, listen to these words from the ICC's Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala, addressing PACE last week...

pace.coe.intManifestations des lycéens en France : ‘Placer le dialogue et la médiation au cœur de la gestion du maintien de l’ordre’Saskia Kluit (Pays-Bas, SOC), Présidente de la Commission des questions sociales, de la santé et du développement durable de l’APCE, a fait aujourd’hui la déclaration suivante : « La vague de manifest...

« Il faut placer le dialogue et la médiation au cœur de la gestion policière des manifestations », déclare Saskia Kluit, Présidente de la Commission @PACE_Social, à propos des manifestations des lycéens en France. Sa déclaration : pace.coe.int/fr/news/1046...

And there's a lovely historical echo... the first Speakers' Conference was held exactly 50 years earlier in the same city! More on that first meeting in 1975... comunicazione.camera.it/eventi/ecpp-...

Find out more... pace.coe.int/en/news/1045... Or join us next Thursday for the grand opening at 10h30 CET via the livestream (in five languages)... webtv.camera.it #SpeakersSpeak2026

Around 70 Speakers or Deputy Speakers and around 500 delegates are expected at the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament, held every two years under PACE auspices and hosted this year by the Italian Parliament at the Palazzo Montecitorio.

pace.coe.intGenuine competition in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s elections in fragmented political environment and with difficulties in electoral administration, international observers sayThere was genuine competition in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 4 October general elections and contestants were largely able to reach voters. The political landscape is deeply fragmented, characterised by ...

There was genuine competition in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s elections in a fragmented political environment and with difficulties in electoral administration, said international observers, including a PACE team. Their full statement: pace.coe.int/en/news/1045...

"Every citizen matters and every vote counts" said the head of the PACE team Jone Blikra. "Free and fair elections must guarantee that people can make their choice freely, that all votes are treated equally, and that the will of the voters is respected, which are basic @coe.int values.”

The Parliamentary Assembly is due to debate its observation of these elections at a meeting of its Standing Committee on 27 November.

youtube.comBosnia and Herzegovina, General Elections, 4 October 2026: ODIHR Press ConferenceYouTube video by OSCE ODIHR

Did Bosnia and Herzegovina's general elections meet international standards? WATCH LIVE as international observers - including the head of the PACE team Jone Blikra - deliver their preliminary conclusions at this #Sarajevo presser, getting under way now... www.youtube.com/live/lCSD94M...

youtu.bePACE President Petra Bayr looks back on the 2026 autumn sessionYouTube video by PACE TV

The #PACEAutumn2026 session finishes today, as Assembly members head back to their home parliaments. @pace-president.bsky.social Petra Bayr sums up the high points of what has been a packed plenary week... youtu.be/tjMIZKEaTw0

Congratulations to Nasrin Sotoudeh, winner of the 2026 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, honouring her extraordinary commitment to justice, dignity and freedom in #Iran. We also honour shortlisted nominees Márta Pardavi and Alinejad Masih for their courageous human rights work. #PACEautumn2026

youtube.comFake ‘elections’ in Russia: what next? — parliamentary round table at the Council of EuropeYouTube video by PACE TV

This event is under way! Watch LIVE at the link below…

PACE@pace.coe.int

What future for #Russia after its fake "elections"? Watch on Monday at 13h CEST - round table with the PACE Platform for Dialogue with Russian Democratic Forces, hosted by ex-BBC journalist David Eades. 🎦 Live: www.youtube.com/live/AJJjQ6V... ℹ️ More: pace.coe.int/en/news/1041... #PACEautumn2026

pace.coe.int‘Children and hospitals are still seen by Russia as war targets’Olena Khomenko (Ukraine, ECPA), Chairperson of the Parliamentary Network on the situation of the children of Ukraine, made the following statement : “Russian forces have once again targeted civilian i...

“Children and hospitals are still seen by Russia as war targets” Read the full statement by the head of PACE’s network on the situation of Ukrainian children Olena Khomenko: pace.coe.int/en/news/10424/…

PACE monitors Deborah Bergamini and Claude Kern, ending a visit to Bratislava, have expressed concern at signs of "democratic regression" in the Slovak Republic, and call for stronger checks and balances. Their full statement: pace.coe.int/en/news/1042...

youtube.comFake ‘elections’ in Russia: what next? — parliamentary round table at the Council of EuropeYouTube video by PACE TV

The #PACEautumn2026 session is coming 🍂 ▶️ HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco ▶️ The President of Portugal ▶️ Germany's Foreign Minister ▶️ Award of the #HavelPrize ... and much more. Join us! pace.coe.int/en/pages/ses...

pace.coe.intPACE pre-electoral delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes electoral reforms but warns of continuing challengesA pre-electoral delegation* from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) visited Bosnia and Herzegovina from 15 to 17 September 2026 to assess the electoral and political environmen...

18 Sept

A PACE "pre-electoral" delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes electoral reforms but warns of continuing challenges. Read the full statement: pace.coe.int/en/news/1041...

18 Sept

"Fake 'elections' to an illegitimate parliament" Read the full statement by the PACE Platform for Dialogue with Russian Democratic Forces on the vote beginning today in Russia... pace.coe.int/en/news/1041...

17 Sept

Bring Ukraine’s children home. Thousands have been forcibly transferred or deported, separated from their families and exposed to attempts to change their identity, indoctrinate and militarise them. 🔗Read more: pace.coe.int/en/news/1041...

pace.coe.intL’APCE observera les élections législatives au MarocUne délégation de l’Assemblée parlementaire du Conseil de l’Europe (APCE), composée de 20 membres et conduite par Elisabetta Gardini (Italie, CEPA), se rendra au Maroc du 21 au 24 septembre 2026 pour ...

17 Sept

Une délégation de 20 membres de l'APCE observera les élections législatives du 23 septembre au #Maroc, dont le parlement est un "partenaire pour la démocratie" de l'Assemblée. Pour en savoir plus : pace.coe.int/fr/news/10414

pace.coe.intGeorge Papandreou: ‘Democracy is more than a system of government, it is a project for peace’On the occasion of the International Day of Democracy (15 September), PACE General Rapporteur on Democracy George Papandreou (Greece, SOC), made the following statement: On the International Day of De...

15 Sept

PACE's George George Papandreou on International #DemocracyDay: "Democracy is more than a system of government, it's a project for peace". Read his full statement: pace.coe.int/en/news/1041... #Peace 🕊️

15 Sept

PACE's General Rapporteur on LGBTI rights Kate Osborne has condemned raids and arrests against #LGBTI activists in #Türkiye. Her full statement: pace.coe.int/en/news/1041...

pace.coe.intThe functioning of democratic institutions in the Slovak Republic: co-rapporteurs to make fact-finding visit to BratislavaDeborah Bergamini (Italy, EPP/CD) and Claude Kern (France, ALDE), co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on “The functioning of democratic institutions in the Slo...

11 Sept

PACE's Deborah Bergamini and Claude Kern are to make a fact-finding visit to #Bratislava next week to look into the functioning of democratic institutions in the Slovak Republic. More... pace.coe.int/en/news/1040...

pace.coe.intPACE delegation makes pre-electoral visit to Bosnia and HerzegovinaA seven-member delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), led by Jone Blikra (Norway, SOC), will make a pre-electoral visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 15 to 17 Septe...

10 Sept

A seven-member team of @coe.int Assembly observers, headed by Norwegian Deputy Jone Blikra, makes a three-day "pre-electoral" visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 15-17 Sept ahead of the country's 4 October general elections. More: pace.coe.int/en/news/1040...

pace.coe.intPACE rapporteur condemns the arbitrary conviction of Anar MammadliThe General Rapporteur for political prisoners of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Azadeh Rojhan (Sweden, SOC), made the following statement today: “Yesterday, a court in Ba...

PACE's Azadeh Rojhan has condemned a Baku court's arbitrary conviction of Azerbaijani human rights defender Anar Mammadli. "Mr Mammadli’s conviction is manifestly incompatible with Azerbaijan’s international obligations" she said. Her statement in full: pace.coe.int/en/news/1040...

pace.coe.intConvicted war criminal Ratko Mladić should not be glorified, says PACE committeeThe PACE Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights made the following statement today on the glorification of Ratko Mladić: "The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) conv...

In a statement, a PACE committee says convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić "should not be glorified": pace.coe.int/en/news/1040...

pace.coe.intRussian assets should be used to pay Ukraine potentially ‘billions’ in compensation after Strasbourg Court rulingsRussian state assets should be repurposed to pay Ukraine potentially “billions of euros” in compensation after two rulings against Russia by the European Court of Human Rights, according to a committe...

Russian assets should be used to pay Ukraine potentially "billions" in compensation after Strasbourg Court #ECHR rulings, says a PACE committee. More: pace.coe.int/en/news/1040... Plenary debate to come on 30 September at #PACEautumn2026.

pace.coe.intMembers of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s family, at a PACE hearing, denounce the failure to convict anyone for ordering her murderMembers of the family of Daphne Caruana Galizia, the investigative journalist assassinated in Malta nine years ago, have denounced the “complete failure” to convict anyone for ordering her assassinati...

Members of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s family, at a PACE hearing this morning in Paris, have denounced the failure to convict anyone for ordering her murder. More on the hearing, feeding into a coming report by PACE's Baroness Shami Chakrabarti: pace.coe.int/en/news/10400

pace.coe.intDemocracy in Greece ‘firmly rooted and resilient’ but sustained efforts needed to protect it, says PACE committeeWhile democracy in Greece remains firmly rooted and resilient, “sustained efforts and constructive political dialogue must converge to protect it and further entrench the rule of law”, PACE’s Monitori...

7 Sept

Democracy in Greece is "firmly rooted and resilient" but sustained efforts are needed to protect it and further entrench the rule of law, says PACE's Monitoring Committee after a "periodic review": pace.coe.int/en/news/1039... PACE plenary debate coming later this month.

pace.coe.intPACE rapporteur: the quest for justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia is not overBaroness Shami Chakrabarti (United Kingdom, SOC), who is preparing a report for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Justice delayed: the unfinished implementation of the Daph...

3 Sept

PACE's Baroness Chakrabarti, in a statement on yesterday's court ruling in Malta: "the quest for justice for #DaphneCaruanaGalizia is not over". In full: pace.coe.int/en/news/1039... Daphne's son Matthew Caruana Galizia and sister Corinne Vella address a PACE hearing on the case next week.

pace.coe.intLa délégation pré-électorale de l'APCE appelle à la tenue d'élections législatives inclusives, transparentes et crédibles au Maroc« Le Maroc dispose d’une expérience considérable en matière d’organisation d’élections, et les préparatifs pour le 23 septembre 2026 sont bien avancés. Les semaines à venir devraient être mises à prof...

2 Sept

Une délégation de l'APCE, à la suite d'une visite pré-électorale à #Rabat, appelle à la tenue d'élections législatives « inclusives, transparentes et crédibles » au #Maroc à la fin du mois. Lire la déclaration intégrale : pace.coe.int/fr/news/1039...

2 Sept

« La crédibilité de ces élections dépendra non seulement du scrutin, mais aussi de la confiance dans la campagne, de l’impartialité de l’administration, de l’égalité des chances pour les candidats et de la transparence du dépouillement » a dit la cheffe de la délégation Elisabetta Gardini.

2 Sept

« Il est encore temps de répondre aux préoccupations d’ordre pratique et de renforcer cette confiance » a-t-elle ajouté. Une délégation plus large de l'APCE reviendra aux alentours du jour du scrutin afin d'évaluer l'ensemble du processus au regard des normes du @coe.int.

pace.coe.intThree candidates shortlisted for the 2026 Václav Havel PrizeThe selection panel of the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, which rewards outstanding civil society action in defence of human rights in Europe and beyond, has today announced the shortlist for the 20...

1 Sept

Congratulations to Alinejad Masih, @martapardavi.bsky.social and Nasrin Sotoudeh, shortlisted for the 2026 #HavelPrize! More: pace.coe.int/en/news/1039... The overall winner is announced on 28 September at an award ceremony in Strasbourg. #TheirCourageOurRights

27 Aug

@pace-president.bsky.social calls on the remaining @coe.int states to join the UN Convention on Enforced Disappearances without delay. “It is time to help these families and do the right thing.” Full statement: pace.coe.int/en/news/1039...