Democracy Under Threat: Parliamentary Assembly Warns of Surging Violence Against Politicians

To address these growing threats, the Assembly proposed that the Council of Europe take a leading role through the New Democratic Pact for Europe.

RMN News Political Desk
New Delhi | April 22, 2026

STRASBOURG – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe issued a stark warning, declaring that rising violence and hate speech targeting politicians pose a direct threat to the foundations of democratic life and pluralism. During a plenary debate, the Assembly asserted that “violence has no place in democracy” and called for urgent action to protect elected representatives.

A “Chilling Effect” on Public Life

The Assembly, adopting a resolution based on a report by Elisabetta Gardini, highlighted that attacks—which include physical, psychological, sexual, and economic threats delivered both online and offline—are creating a dangerous “chilling effect” on democratic participation. These hostile conditions are not only discouraging current officials but are also preventing new individuals from considering a career in political life.

Parliamentarians noted that the current climate of fear is forcing politicians to alter their behavior, often leading them to limit their public appearances or reduce direct engagement with their constituents. This retreat from the public square is seen as a significant blow to the representativeness and quality of democratic processes.

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Vulnerable Groups Disproportionately Targeted

The report emphasized that the violence is not distributed equally. Women politicians, representatives of minority groups, and younger public officials are being disproportionately targeted by these attacks and require specific protections.

Proposed Solutions and the “New Democratic Pact”

To address these growing threats, the Assembly proposed that the Council of Europe take a leading role through the New Democratic Pact for Europe. Key recommendations include:

• Tracking Mechanisms: Asking the Committee of Ministers to establish a system to identify and track specific threats at local, regional, and national levels.
• Criminalization: Calling on states to adopt legislation that recognizes various forms of violence against politicians as specific criminal offenses.
• Resource Allocation: Ensuring that judicial and law enforcement authorities have the adequate resources to investigate and prosecute these crimes.

A Call for Responsible Rhetoric

Finally, the Assembly reminded elected officials of their own role in the crisis. Parliamentarians emphasized that politicians must lead by example by refraining from using inflammatory or dehumanizing rhetoric. The Assembly has called for national parliaments and political parties to introduce clear codes of conduct to reinforce a culture of respect and responsibility within democratic institutions.