Europe\u2019s democratic landscape is under mounting strain. External threats such as Russia\u2019s war of aggression and internal pressures including declining trust, civic frustration, and the rise of anti\u2011system actors have exposed deep vulnerabilities across the continent. As the Council of Europe warned \u201cEurope\u2019s democratic environment and democratic institutions are in mutually reinforcing decline.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In response, the Council of Europe has launched the New Democratic Pact (NDP), a political and institutional reset first mandated at the 2023 Reykjav\u00edk Summit. The Pact aims to transform the Reykjav\u00edk Principles of Democracy into a comprehensive, organisation\u2011wide agenda designed to strengthen democratic resilience and renew the Council\u2019s visibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report highlights that the NDP is both a substantive reform initiative and a strategic rebranding effort. On one hand, it seeks to address structural weaknesses in European democracies through new standards, self\u2011assessment tools, and multi\u2011level governance mechanisms. On the other, it offers the Council of Europe an opportunity to reclaim its role as Europe\u2019s leading democracy institution\u2014after years of being overshadowed by the EU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the report notes, \u201cfor the first time in many years, the Council of Europe is acting ahead of the European Union by launching a forward\u2011looking political project of its own.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Pact\u2019s governance structure spans multiple bodies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, ASSEDEL\u2019s observations reveal significant asymmetry. While the CDDEM and the Congress are already producing concrete outputs, the Special Committee remains in an early stage of internal consolidation, lacking clear priorities, methods, or coordination structures. The report notes that committee members could not yet articulate \u201ca clear understanding of how the Committee\u2019s role fits into the broader governance architecture of the Pact.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report identifies three major governance challenges:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These gaps also hinder civil society participation, despite the Pact\u2019s stated commitment to inclusiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite these weaknesses, the report sees the NDP as a promising opportunity. It can strengthen democratic resilience, improve coordination within the Council of Europe, and enhance public communication about democratic values. The Pact\u2019s symbolic dimension\u2014its ability to reposition the Council as a democracy leader\u2014is considered a strategic asset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ultimately, the report concludes that the Pact\u2019s success will depend on institutional clarity and coordination: \u201cWhat will determine the Pact\u2019s long-term impact is whether the Council of Europe can align mandates, clarify roles, strengthen coordination, and establish transparent mechanisms for civil society engagement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n