The President

D 203255 08.07.2026

Hr Lauri Hussar Rhgikogu esimees Rhgikogu Lossi plats la 15165 TALLINN

Austatud esimees, hea kolleeg

Mul on hea meel kutsuda Teid teisele parlamentaarse demokraatia foorumile, mis toimub 29—30. septembril 2026 Euroopa Parlamendis BrUsselis.

Esimene foorum, kus kutsuti ules jätkama pariamentaarset koostoOd demokraatia kaitsmiseks ja kindlustamiseks pideva surve tingimustes, osutus vaga edukaks. Tanavuse urituse eesmark on tagada, et hoog ei raugeks.

Eelseisev parlamentaarse demokraatia foorum toob taas kokku Iflkmesriikide parlamentide ja Euroopa Parlamendi Iiikmed, peamiste parlamentaarsete vorgustike, kodanikuuhiskorina ja noorteorganisatsioonide esindajad ning juhtivad eksperdid. Foorumil kasitletavate teemade hulgas on vahmisprotsessiga seotud probleemidega toimetuleku vöime suurendamine, parlamentaarse jarelevalve tugevdamine, kodanikuuhiskonna toetamine ja koordineerituma parlamentaarse diplomaatia vaijatootamine Euroopas.

Kirjale on lisatud paevakorra esialgne kavand. Teave osalemisega seotud praktiliste uksikasjade ja logistilise korralduse kohta edastatakse aegsasti Teie parlamendi Euroopa Parlamendiga suhtlemise eest vastutavale teenistusele.

Loodan vaga, et Teie parlament osaleb sellel olulisel Uritusel. Iga parlamenti vOib esindada kuni kuus parlamendiliiget. Teie panus on vaga tahtis, et rikastada arutelu ja tiheridada parlamentide koostood demokraatia kaitseks ja edendamiseks.

Lugupidamisega

Roberta Metsola

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EU PARUAMEN:TARY DEMOCRACY FORUM

DAYI

European Parliament I 2940 September 2026

Draft Programme

* ** **

13:00 — 14:00 Welcome coffee

14:00 — 15:00 j Opening session

Opening addresses:

+ Roberta Ivietsola, President of the European Parliament + Verona Murphy, TD, Ceann Comhairle, Houses of the

Lower House of the Irish Parliament) + VIP guest (TBC)

(TBC) Oireachtas (Speaker of the

15:00 — 16:30 Session I: Mobilising a Wholeof$ociety Approach to Safeguard Elections

This session will explore the math challenges facing elections across the EU and present the related proposals under the European Democracy Shield. It will examine how a whole-of- society approach to safeguarding elections can be put into practice. Participants will discuss the roles of parliaments, independent authorities, civil society and digital platforms in protecting electoral processes, as well as ways to strengthen citizens’ engagement in elections.

Presessions (by invitation - for parliamentarians only)

09:00 — 10:30 Good practices and ongoing initiatives on electoral resilience and integrity (with the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield)

Members of EU National Parliaments, and innovative practices to enhance showcasing national experiences and practical responses adapted to each learning across the Union.

MEP5 and national experts will discuss effective electoral integrity and democratic resilience. By

ongoing initiatives, the pre-session seeks to identify country’s electoral landscape and to foster mutual

11:00 — 12:30 j European Democracy Shield Protecting the safety of political candidates and elected representatives (with the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers, European Commission)

Building on the discussions held during the 2025 EU Parliamentary Democracy Forum session on “Overcoming political polarisation”, European and national parliamentarians will exchange views with the European Commission to inform the preparation of its forthcoming “Recommendation on safety in politics” and the dedicated “Guide of best practices”, expected to be ready by the end of 2026.

16:30 — 17:00 Coffee break

17:00 — 18:30 ( Session II: EU strategy for civil society

The session will examine the EU Civil Society Strategy as a key instrument to reinforce democratic resilience across the Union. It will explore how stronger protection and support for civil society organisations can help safeguard civic space and will also focus on the political responsibilities of the European Parliament and national parliaments in this area. Finally, participants will consider how to embed meaningful and sustained participation of civil society in EU and national democratic decision-making, going beyond ad-hoc consultations.

18:30 — 20:00 Networking dinner

DAY II

08:45 — 09:30 I Welcome coffee

09:30 — 09:40 I Video message by Professor Timothy Snyder, historian, author and Chair in Modern European History at the University of Toronto

09:40 — 11:101 Session Ill: From legislation to implementation: strengthening parliamentary oversight at EU and national level

This session will examine parliamentary oversight as a key instrument to reinforce the role of parliaments vis-â-vis the executive in a challenging geopolitical context It will explore how stronger oversight can enhance democratic accountability and increase citizens’ trust Participants will also discuss approaches to ensure the effective implementation of EU legislation, including improved coordination between the European Parliament, national parliaments and civil society actors.

11:10—11:451 Coffee break

11:45—13:151 Session IV: Defending democracy amid geopolitical disruption: towards a Team Europe parliamentary diplomacy approach

This session will provide an opportunity to exchange best practices in parliamentary diplomacy across the EU and to examine its role in countering democratic backsliding in a context of fragmentation and geopolitical instability. Participants will explore ways to strengthen cooperation between EU national parliaments and the European Parliament and discuss how to better coordinate parliamentary diplomacy tools under a Team Europe approach.

13:15 — 14:00 I Exchange of views with Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection

14:00 — 14:15 I Closing remarks

Speakers:

+ Esteban Gonzalez Pons, Vice-President for Relations with National Parliaments, European Parliament

+ Katarina Barley, Vice-President for Relations with National Parliaments, European Parliament

14:15 — 15:30 I Networking lunch