11 October 1993

Doc. 6952

MOTION FOR AN ORDER

on the strengthening of democracy 1

presented by Mrs ROBERT and others

1.       There is considerable concern about the weakness of democracy in Europe.

2.       The reasons for this weakness are manifold and need to be developed in a more detailed report. They are psychological, sociological, economic and others, and have to do with the increasing complexity of our societies, technical developments, the increase in international contacts, trade, movement, co-operation, etc.

3.       At the European level, the "democratic deficit" of the European Community is well known but the democratic structures of the Council of Europe are even weaker.

4.       Consequently, parliaments and the electorate are more and more reluctant to continue on the way towards further European integration.

5.       The Assembly therefore asks its competent committee:

i.       to convene a seminar at which a group of its members from western and eastern European countries could discuss with a group of highly qualified experts from a wide variety of backgrounds, the future of democracy in Europe with the aim of improving the direct participation of the people in the process of European integration and to work out an outline for a democratic constitution in Europe; and

ii.       insofar as the Council of Europe is concerned, to take action to improve its own working methods in order to make them more effective, professional and democratic, and to report back to the Assembly.

Signed:

Robert, Seiler, Ruffy, Graenitz, Dromberg, Bjarnason,

Hadjidemetriou, Berg, Panov, Ragnarsdottir

1 ¹ 1. This text only represents the views of the individual members who have signed it. It does not reflect a position adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly.