ALDE members played an active role in the Standing Committee meeting held in Luxembourg on 29 November, organised by the parliamentary delegation led by our member Gusty Graas. The meeting tackled key issues of democratic integrity and governance across Europe. Here are the main highlights:
In response to reports of police violence against protesters in Georgia, ALDE proposed that the Standing Committee adopt an urgent declaration to address the situation. Consequently, the Standing Committee issued the following statement:
“The Assembly strongly condemns the brutal repression of the peaceful demonstrations that took place in Tbilisi […], as a violation of the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly.”
“The Assembly urges Georgia to remain faithful to European values and to fully comply with its obligations and commitments as a member state of the Council of Europe”, continued the declaration.
The Bureau of the Assembly also made public the election observation report for Georgia prepared by Iulian Bulai which will be presented to the Assembly in January.
Alfred Heer presented his report on the observation of Bulgaria‘s early parliamentary elections, held on June 9 and October 27, 2024. He warned of the risk of yet another election being required if no solutions are found to establish a stable government.
The Standing Committee also held two current affairs debates. Following the proposal tabled by ALDE member Gusty Graas, the Parliamentary Assembly’s Standing Committee held a current affairs debate on the “The intensification of repression in Azerbaijan: the situation of political prisoners, threats to democratic freedoms and parliamentary rights”.
“Faced with the intensification of repression in Azerbaijan, it is legitimate to question its commitment to the principles of the Council of Europe,” said Gusty Graas, opening the debate and recalling Azerbaijan’s international obligations as a Council of Europe member state.
On behalf of the group, he raised the cases of the numerous journalists, activists and human rights defenders imprisoned in Azerbaijan for political reasons, including the cases of Gubad Ibadoghlu, whose health is seriously declining, and 2014 Václav Havel Prize winner Anar Mammadli.
Gusty Graas furthermore presented the resolution on the situation in Azerbaijan adopted by the Parliament of Luxembourg on his initiative.
The second special procedure of the Standing Committee addressed the topic “Foreign Interference: A Threat to Democracy.” The debate primarily focused on Russia’s meddling in democratic processes and elections within Council of Europe member states, including the recent elections in the Republic of Moldova and Georgia.
Yevheniia Kravchuk spoke on behalf of the group, stating, “Just because we do not observe elections in Germany and France does not mean that there is no Russian interference there.” She also voiced members’ concerns about the electoral crisis in Romania, where the Constitutional Court ordered a full recount of votes cast in the first round of the presidential election—a decision that is far from restoring confidence in the country’s institutions ahead of the parliamentary vote on 1 December. The Venice Commission and other relevant organs of the Council of Europe should assess the situation.
Finally, Gusty Graas and the delegation of Luxembourg invited members for a discussion on Cultural routes of the Council of Europe as a platform for intercultural dialogue.
