Newsletter
ILDG

Independent and Liberal Democrat Group (ILDG)

The Independent Liberal an Democratic Group (ILDG) of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe brings together 98 members. It is chaired by Marc Cools (Belgium). 

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is responsible for strengthening local and regional democracy in its 46 member states. It brings together 612 elected officials representing more than 130 000 local and regional authorities and divided among several political groups.

Marc Cools elected President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities

Written written the 24/10/2023

Marc Cools elected President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities

Marc Cools has been elected President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. In his opening speech Marc underlined the role of local elected politicians in building and reinforcing democracy on the European Continent.

His priorities as president will be to:

- Strengthen the position of the Congress as the political chamber of the Council of Europe and develop synergies with all the components of the Council of Europe, and particularly with the European Court of Human Rights

- ... Read more »

Stewart Dickson: new leader of the ILDG

Written written the 23/10/2023

Stewart Dickson: new leader of the ILDG

On 23 October 2023, ILDG elected Stewart Dickson new President of the ILDG group. Stewart Dickson has served on the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and the IDLG group for over ten years. He is currently the chair of the the Venice Commission’s Council for Democratic Elections.

Together with President of the Congress Marc Cools, ILDG bureau members and the whole group, Mr Dickson committed to deliver strong results and reinforce local democracy in Europe.

ILDG to meet in Strasbourg on 23 October

Written written the 16/10/2023

The next ILDG meeting will be held on Monday 23 October 2023 from 15.45 to 17.45 in room 6.

The group will prepare the upcoming Congress session, elect a new president of the ILDG group and appoint candidates for positions in the Congress.

Marc Cools: candidate for President of Congress

Written written the 16/10/2023

Marc Cools: candidate for President of Congress

The ILDG group unanimously supported Marc Cools as the group’s candidate for the Presidency of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe 2023-2026. The election is scheduled for Tuesday 24 October 2023.

“I deeply believe in the values on which the Council of Europe is founded: the rule of law, democracy and human rights. Supporting the anchoring of these values at local and regional level and contributing to the respect of the European Charter of Local Self-Government ... Read more »