Amendment No. 15 | Doc. 12955 | 26 June 2012
The crisis of democracy and the role of the State in today’s Europe
Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development
In the draft resolution, after paragraph 18, insert the following paragraphs:
"19. All tiers of government should serve the public rather than the interest of particular parties. States discharging their functions properly and thus worthy of respect should resist the abuse of political, administrative or judicial power, unethical behaviour such as corruption, favouritism as well as undue influence exerted by the media or by political lobbyists. At the same time states should encourage economic growth and promote social cohesion. However, unless such balanced political directions are pursued in this way, then the disillusion of citizens with their decision-makers will become further exacerbated.
20. The "Twelve Principles of Good Governance at Local Level" provide useful guidance. They were adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in March 2008 in the framework of its "Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance at Local Level”, the latter applying to all tiers of government, and to their current forms in Europe."