The Annual World Forum for Democracy opened yesterday in Strasbourg, gathering policymakers, campaigners and journalists under the shadow of a global crisis of confidence in democratic institutions. Council of Europe Secretary General, Alain Berset, delivered a powerful and urgent address that served a both stark warning and clear call to action, centred on a new political doctrine: Democratic Security.
The Crisis of Thrust and the New Doctrine
Berset immediately challenged the audience’s complacency regarding the health of modern governance, stating that the assumption that we fully understand democracy is fundamentally flawed.
“ We think we know democracy. We are wrong”
His speech was a direct response to a political reality where foundational trust is being rapidly eroded. He highlighted the pervasive nature of digital threats, including deep fakes, disinformation, and digital attacks on political parties, which he argued do not need to steal a single vote; they just need a poison trust.
This information warfare is having a critical impact on the younger generation. Berset noted alarming statistics- such as the high percentage of young Europeans who get their news from social media and regulatory encounter disinformation- that points to severe loss of faith in the democratic model. He warned that in this new political landscape, where truth is often treated as “just another opinion”, this complacency poses an existential threat to the stability of the European continent.
Democratic Security: Europe’s First Line of Defence:
The core of Berset’s message was the introduction of Democratic Security as
“our first line of defence”
for the European continent. This concept reframes security not merely as a matter of physical protection, but as a commitment to building resilience from within. It requires Europe to “ rebuild again”, not by looking backwards, but by renewing the European order on enduring principles.”
Democratic Security, as outlined by the Secretary General, mandates:
- Institutions people can trust
- Laws that protect everyone equally
- The stability that allows democracy to grow and thrive
A Defiant Optimism for Renewal
Despite the dire warning, the Secretary General closed his speech on a note of defiant optimism, countering the common narrative of democratic decline. He stated:
“ Some say democracy is dying. I say, it has only just begun.”
His address set the tone for the three-day Forum which is dedicated to finding practical and innovative ways for citizens and institutions to fight back against the forces of polarisation and erosion of thrust. The delegates will explore how to translate the concept of Democratic Security into tangible policies, nurture the desire for freedom, foster constructive dialogue, and ultimately ensure that democratic ideal endures and adapts to the critical challenges of the modern age. The Strasbourg event serves as a crucial platform for developing a united front to fortify democracy worldwide.
