“The Final Countdown”: European Democratic Party Congress in Athens to Build a Global Alliance for Democracy

Democracy was born in Athens more than two thousand years ago. Today, as authoritarianism gains ground, fundamental freedoms come under threat and Europe risks losing control over its own future, European democrats are returning to the Greek capital to launch a new political initiative.

“The Final Countdown – It's Time for Europe” is the theme of the European Democratic Party (EDP) Congress, taking place in Athens on 23–24 October. Its message is clear: the time for hesitation and division is running out. Europe must decide whether to shape its own future or allow others to shape it.

Led by EDP President François Bayrou and Secretary General Sandro Gozi, the Congress will bring together political leaders, parliamentarians and prominent advocates for freedom and human rights from across the world. The ambition is to strengthen Europe's democratic family and build a global alliance of democrats, united in their commitment to the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and liberal democracy.

The afternoon of Friday 23 October will be dedicated to the statutory proceedings, reserved for delegates from EDP member parties. The highlight of the Congress will be the public session on Saturday 24 October, bringing together international speakers for a morning of political debates and first-hand testimonies at the Ilisian Hotel.

The public conference will open with an address by Stefanos Kasselakis, leader of the Greek party Democrats – Progressive Centre, which is welcoming the Congress.

The first panel, “Fighters for Freedoms”, moderated by Pina Picierno, Vice-President of the European Parliament, will give a platform to those who have experienced political repression and the denial of fundamental rights first-hand. Speakers will include Anna Victoria Politkovskaya, granddaughter of the Russian journalist murdered in 2006; Jewher Ilham, a Uyghur-American human rights activist campaigning for the release of her father, Ilham Tohti, imprisoned in China; and Shervin Haravi, an Italian-Iranian lawyer and human rights advocate closely involved in the Woman, Life, Freedom movement.

A special focus will be dedicated to Ukraine, with a contribution from Oleksandra Romantsova, Executive Director of the Center for Civil Liberties, the Ukrainian human rights organisation awarded the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. Her work has been instrumental in documenting human rights violations and alleged war crimes committed during Russia's war against Ukraine.

The second panel, “Defending Democracy: Global Alliance of Democrats”, moderated by German MEP Lukas Sieper, will broaden the discussion to the global challenges facing democracy. Speakers will include Michael Chen, Director of International Affairs of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP); Sudha Ramakrishnan, an Indian Member of Parliament from the Indian National Congress; and Richard Walakira, a Ugandan-born democracy activist, co-founder of the New Freedom Foundation and a 2024 Obama Foundation Leader. The discussion will focus on authoritarian threats and the need to strengthen international cooperation among democratic forces.

The spotlight will then turn to Albania, with an intervention by Marjana Koçeku, a young independent MP who left Prime Minister Edi Rama's Socialist Party over disagreements with the government's policies. She has become one of the voices of the Flamingos movement, raising concerns over land management, development projects and transparency.

Turning to the United States, the Congress will also welcome Neera Tanden, former senior adviser to President Joe Biden and a prominent figure in American politics. She will discuss the outlook for US democracy ahead of the midterm elections, transatlantic relations and the challenges shared by Europe and the United States.

The morning will conclude with keynote addresses by Sandro Gozi and François Bayrou, outlining the European Democratic Party's political priorities: a stronger European Union capable of acting on the global stage, defending the rule of law, boosting economic competitiveness and bringing Europe closer to its citizens.

Returning to Athens is a reminder that democracy is not a legacy we can take for granted, but an achievement that every generation must defend and renew. The countdown is not about the end of Europe. It is about the time running out to make the decisions that will shape its future. This is the message the European Democratic Party intends to send from the birthplace of democracy.