Cities and the Rule of Law

2025-11-18T08:30:00+00:00

2025-11-18T11:30:00+00:00

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MEP EVENT Cities and the Rule of Law📅 Date Tuesday, 18 November 2025🕐 Time 09:30 - 12:20 CET📍 Location SPAAK P4B1, European Parliament🌐 Format In-person eventHosted byTineke STRIKMember of European ParliamentVice-Chair, LIBE CommitteeGreens/EFA GroupGroenLinks-PvdA (NL) Michał WAWRYKIEWICZMember of European ParliamentEPP GroupIndependent (PL) Krzysztof ŚMISZEKMember of European ParliamentS&D GroupNowa Lewica (PL) Sophie WILMÈSVice-President of the European ParliamentRenew Europe GroupMR (BE) Konstantinos ARVANITISMember of European ParliamentThe Left GroupSYRIZA (EL) About the EventThe European Union is founded on the principles of the rule of law, democracy, and respect for human rights. These fundamental values are central to the governance of cities across Europe, as citizens directly experience the impact of laws and policies at the local level. When rule of law standards are not upheld, cities can face significant challenges that hinder their ability to function effectively and serve their communities.At the same time, cities play an essential role in upholding democracy, human rights, and the rule of law at both the local and international levels. As hubs of civic engagement and innovation, European cities are uniquely positioned to strengthen democratic institutions and protect fundamental freedoms. This is why it is crucial to explore how EU policies can better support cities to strengthen rule of law mechanisms and democratic governance.This event brings together European mayors, Members of the European Parliament, the European Commissioner for Justice, and leading experts to discuss the critical intersection of urban governance and the rule of law. Organised in collaboration with the mayors of Amsterdam and Budapest, representing the Pact of Free Cities, this event will examine how cities can be empowered to defend democratic values and how the European Union can enhance its support mechanisms for local authorities.Programme09:30Opening Statements by MEP Co-HostsTineke Strik MEP, Michał Wawrykiewicz MEP, Krzysztof Śmiszek MEP, Sophie Wilmès MEP, Konstantinos Arvanitis MEP09:45Panel 1: Perspective of Cities on the Rule of Law and DemocracyFemke Halsema (Mayor of Amsterdam), Gergely Karácsony (Mayor of Budapest), Haris Doukas (Mayor of Athens)Topics: Urban governance challenges, local implementation of rule of law principles, cities as defenders of democratic values, the role of the Pact of Free Cities10:30Q&A with the Mayors10:50Coffee Break11:10Keynote SpeechMichael McGrath (European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection)Topics: EU rule of law framework, support mechanisms for local authorities, future policy directions11:25Panel 2: Experts' Reflections on the Role of Cities in Upholding the Rule of LawFlorian Geyer (Head of the Rule of Law Unit, DG JUST), Professor Laurent Pech (Professor of European Law, University College Dublin), Gülçin Balamir Coşkun (Associate Professor of Political Science, Humboldt-Universität Berlin)Topics: Legal frameworks for municipal autonomy, EU monitoring mechanisms, academic perspectives on urban rule of law, policy recommendations12:10Closing Statements by MEP Co-HostsSpeakersFemke HALSEMAMayor of AmsterdamNetherlandsGergely KARÁCSONYMayor of BudapestHungaryHaris DOUKASMayor of AthensGreece⭐ KeynoteMichael McGRATHEuropean CommissionerDemocracy, Justice, Rule of Lawand Consumer ProtectionFlorian GEYERHead of the Rule of Law UnitDG JUST, European CommissionLaurent PECHProfessor of European LawHead, Law & Politics DepartmentUniversity College DublinGülçin BALAMIR COŞKUNAssociate ProfessorPolitical ScienceHumboldt-Universität Berlin

https://www.expert-europe.eu/fr/event/cities-and-the-rule-of-law/2025/11/18/262