From Athens to the World: European Democrats Rally to Defend Democracy
On 23 and 24 October 2026, the European Democratic Party gathered in Athens, the birthplace of democracy, bringing together political leaders, delegates, human rights defenders and democratic voices from around the world.
Two days of debates, powerful testimonies and international solidarity highlighted a common conviction: democracy must be defended, strengthened and renewed.
From Europe's future to the struggle for freedom in Ukraine, Türkiye, Serbia and beyond, the Congress reaffirmed our ambition to build a stronger, more sovereign Europe and a Global Alliance of Democrats.
Relive the speeches, debates and unforgettable moments of Athens 2026.
ATHENS: WHERE DEMOCRACY MEETS ITS FUTURE
More than 2,500 years after democracy emerged in ancient Athens, its fundamental principles remain essential to Europe's identity and future.
Yet democracy faces growing challenges: authoritarianism, political polarisation, disinformation and declining public trust. At the same time, Europe must strengthen its capacity to act independently in an increasingly uncertain world.
Our Congress brought together democrats from Europe and across the globe to confront these challenges and explore a common political ambition.
We believe in a Europe that protects individual freedoms, combines economic opportunity with social responsibility, defends the rule of law and empowers its citizens.
Athens reminded us that democracy is not simply an inheritance to preserve. It is a political project that every generation must continue to build.
OUR EUROPEAN DEMOCRATIC FAMILY: UNITED AND GROWING
The Athens Congress brought together delegations from across Europe, our member parties, national leaders and MEPs, celebrating a political family united by shared democratic values.
We welcomed our newest members — Germany's Partei des Fortschritts, Junts per Catalunya and Italy's Spazio Pubblico — alongside guest parties BG100 from Bulgaria and Nowa Polska from Poland.
WATCH THE CONGRESS
On 24 October, hundreds of participants gathered for the public session of the European Democratic Party Congress.
From testimonies of human rights defenders to international discussions on democracy, from transatlantic relations to the aspirations of young Europeans, the morning brought together some of the most important challenges facing democratic societies today.
Watch the complete session, featuring international debates, special messages, artistic performances and the closing speeches of Sandro Gozi and François Bayrou.
THE SPIRIT OF ATHENS
Athens was more than the setting of our Congress. It was an essential part of its message.
Stefanos Kasselakis, leader of Demokrates, our Greek member party and host of the Congress, welcomed European Democrats to Greece, while Athens Mayor Haris Doukas highlighted the special significance of bringing this international democratic gathering to the birthplace of democracy.
One of the most unexpected moments came with a theatrical flash mob inspired by Pericles. What began as a surprise interruption from the audience turned into a journey through ancient Athens, connecting the origins of democracy with the challenges facing Europe today.
Together, these moments captured the spirit of our Congress: honouring the democratic heritage of Athens while taking responsibility for its future.
FIGHTERS FOR FREEDOMS
Democracy is not an abstract idea for those who risk their freedom to defend it.
Moderated by European Parliament Vice-President Pina Picierno, the Fighters for Freedoms panel brought together Anna Victoria Politkovskaya, carrying forward the legacy of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya; Jewher Ilham, campaigning for her imprisoned father and Uyghur rights; and Shervin Haravi, advocating for women's rights and freedom in Iran.
The Congress also featured a special video message from Ekrem İmamoğlu, the imprisoned Mayor of Istanbul, welcomed with a standing ovation.
Oleksandra Romantsova, Executive Director of Ukraine's Nobel Peace Prize-winning Center for Civil Liberties, addressed the defence of human rights and the pursuit of justice amid Russia's war against Ukraine.
Their contributions reminded us that solidarity with those defending freedom must remain a fundamental responsibility of Europe's democracies.
A GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR DEMOCRACY
Defending democracy requires cooperation beyond Europe's borders.
Moderated by MEP Lukas Sieper, the panel Defending Democracy: A Global Alliance of Democrats brought together Michael Chen, representing Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party; Sudha Ramakrishnan, Member of the Indian Parliament; and Richard Walakira, Ugandan democracy activist and 2024 Obama Foundation Leader.
From Asia to Africa, their contributions explored different democratic experiences and a shared commitment to political participation, fundamental rights and accountable institutions.
The discussion reflected one of the central ambitions of the Athens Congress: building stronger relationships between democratic political forces and civil society across the world.
DEMOCRACY IN ACTION: ALBANIA AND SERBIA
The Congress gave particular attention to democratic developments in the Western Balkans and the aspirations of citizens demanding accountability, dignity and political change.
Marjana Koçeku, Member of the Albanian Parliament, addressed the democratic challenges facing Albania, including corruption, institutional transparency, opportunities for young people and the country's European future.
In a special live connection from Serbia, student leader Ana-Marija Radosavljević joined EDP Secretary General Sandro Gozi to discuss the student movement and the hopes of a generation seeking democratic renewal.
Her intervention brought a powerful message of courage and hope to Athens.
EUROPE AND AMERICA: A CONVERSATION WITH NEERA TANDEN
Neera Tanden, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress and former senior adviser to US President Joe Biden, joined the Congress for a special conversation on democracy and the future of transatlantic relations with Greek journalist George Evgenidis.
At a time of profound political and geopolitical change, the discussion explored the challenges facing democratic societies and the evolving relationship between Europe and the United States.
For the European Democratic Party, strengthening Europe's sovereignty and capacity to act is essential to building more balanced and effective international partnerships.
OUR MESSAGE TO EUROPE: GOZI AND BAYROU
The Congress concluded with political addresses by EDP Secretary General Sandro Gozi and EDP President François Bayrou.
Gozi outlined the ambition for a stronger, more sovereign Europe, capable of defending its democratic values, taking responsibility for its own future and strengthening international cooperation between democratic forces.
Bayrou focused on a fundamental principle: democracy cannot be built for the people without being built with the people.
His message emphasised the central role of citizens in shaping their own destiny and the risks of political systems that exclude them from decisions affecting their lives.
Together, their speeches brought the Congress to a close with a shared commitment to European sovereignty, democratic participation, individual freedoms and international solidarity.
The Final Countdown was not an ending. It was a call to action.
CONGRESS PHOTO GALLERY
Relive the atmosphere and the most memorable moments of the Congress.
Read the latest articles, press releases and media coverage from Athens.
Closing the European Democratic Party Congress in Athens on 24 October 2026, EDP President François Bayrou delivered a powerful defence of democracy as the right of citizens to shape their own future. His message was clear: democracy cannot survive without the participation of the people, and the struggle against authoritarianism is a common responsibility across borders.
From housing and social justice to European sovereignty, democracy and economic reform, representatives of 18 political delegations brought their priorities to the EDP Congress in Athens. Their interventions reflected the diversity of Europe's democratic family and a shared determination to turn European values into concrete political action.
In his closing speech to the EDP Congress, Secretary General Sandro Gozi called on democrats to build a sovereign Europe and a global alliance of democracies against authoritarianism and nationalism.
Independent Albanian MP Marjana Koçeku brought the voice of the Flamingo protest movement to the EDP Congress in Athens. Sandro Gozi: “Albania’s European future belongs to its people. It does not belong to Edi Rama.”
A video message from imprisoned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu drew a standing ovation at the EDP Congress in Athens. Sandro Gozi: “We will never abandon the Turkish people.”
As the EDP Congress opens in Athens, Secretary General Sandro Gozi tells the Greek daily Ta Nea that the unrest in France, and the frustration in Italy, are a democratic wake-up call. His answer: more European sovereignty and fewer national vetoes.
On 23–24 October, political leaders and defenders of freedom from around the world will gather in the birthplace of democracy. With François Bayrou, Sandro Gozi, Neera Tanden and leading voices of democratic resistance worldwide.
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