"Today, Europe faces a perfect storm - war, shifting geopolitics, democratic backsliding, rising impunity, climate crisis, disinformation, rapid technological change, and a retreat from co-operation into nationalism and protectionism. It threatens to undo the peace, stability, and hard-won progress the Council of Europe has helped deliver across an entire continent over the past 75 years", stated Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset in the introduction to the 2025 Report, entitled "Towards A New Democratic Pact for Europe", published today.
"We cannot meet today's challenges with yesterday's playbook. And we must never forget that democracy is our first line of defence. What Europe needs is a reset: a New Democratic Pact for Europe. Because what is at stake is nothing less than Europe's security, the values we share and our place in the world", emphasised Alain Berset.
The annual report of the Secretary General assesses the state of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law across the Council of Europe's 46 member states over the two years since the last full report was published in 2023. It is both a diagnostic tool and a reference for shaping the Organisation's priorities and action. Its purpose is to highlight key developments and challenges in the Council of Europe's member states, support policy formulation and implementation, and encourage reforms where standards fall short.
Message from the Secretary General
