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Available in       Press release 28-09-2026 Democratic resilience in focus as European parliamentarians gather in Brussels       On 29-30 September, MEPs, national parliamentarians, EU experts, and civil society representatives will discuss strategies to strengthen democracy and reinforce citizens' trust. The second EU Parliamentary Democracy Forum will be held in the European Parliament’s hemicycle in Brussels. The key topics on the agenda are safeguarding elections, the role of civil society, parliamentary oversight at the EU and national levels and how to face geopolitical disruption. On Tuesday 29 September, following opening remarks by Verona Murphy, Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann (Chair of the Irish Parliament’s low chamber), and EP Vice-President Katarina Barley (S&D, DE), Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of the Belarusian Democratic Forces, will deliver an opening address, followed by an exchange with EP Vice-President González Pons (EPP, ES) and questions from the floor. On Wednesday 30 September, a discussion with Commissioner for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection Michael McGrath will be followed by closing remarks by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. Check the full programme of the event and more details on the dedicated webpage. When: Tuesday 29 – Wednesday 30 September 2026 Where: Hemicycle, Paul-Henri Spaak building, European Parliament, Brussels How: Accredited journalists can attend the forum in person. The sessions will be webstreamed and recorded on Parliament’s Multimedia Centre. Interview requests for Ms Tsikhanouskaya can be sent to Franak Viacorka: franak@tsikhanouskaya.org. Background The EU Parliamentary Democracy Forum brings together MEPs, national MPs, representatives of EU institutions, civil society organisations, academics, and experts to exchange ideas, experiences, and best practices on strengthening democratic resilience across Europe. It is organised under the leadership of President Roberta Metsola with the support of the European Parliament Vice-Presidents responsible for relations with national Parliaments, Esteban González Pons and Katarina Barley. Available in       Press release 28-09-2026 Democratic resilience in focus as European parliamentarians gather in Brussels     On 29-30 September, MEPs, national parliamentarians, EU experts, and civil society representatives will discuss strategies to strengthen democracy and reinforce citizens' trust. The second EU Parliamentary Democracy Forum will be held in the European Parliament’s hemicycle in Brussels. The key topics on the agenda are safeguarding elections, the role of civil society, parliamentary oversight at the EU and national levels and how to face geopolitical disruption On Tuesday 29 September, following opening remarks by Verona Murphy, Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann (Chair of the Irish Parliament’s lower chamber), and EP Vice-President Katarina Barley (S&D, DE), Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of the Belarusian Democratic Forces, will deliver an opening address, followed by an exchange with EP Vice-President González Pons (EPP, ES) and questions from the floor. On Wednesday 30 September, a discussion with Commissioner for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection Michael McGrath will be followed by closing remarks by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. Check the full programme of the event and more details on the dedicated webpage. When: Tuesday 29 – Wednesday 30 September 2026 Where: Hemicycle, Paul-Henri Spaak building, European Parliament, Brussels How: Accredited journalists can attend the forum in person. The sessions will be webstreamed and recorded on Parliament’s Multimedia Centre. Interview requests for Ms Tsikhanouskaya can be sent to Franak Viacorka: franak@tsikhanouskaya.org. Background The EU Parliamentary Democracy Forum brings together MEPs, national MPs, representatives of EU institutions, civil society organisations, academics, and experts to exchange ideas, experiences, and best practices on strengthening democratic resilience across Europe. It is organised under the leadership of President Roberta Metsola with the support of the European Parliament Vice-Presidents responsible for relations with national Parliaments, Esteban González Pons and Katarina Barley.     Press release 28-09-2026 Committee on Constitutional Affairs highlights - Monday 28/9 & Thursday 1/10     Monday 28 September 2026, 15.30 – 16.30 & Thursday 1 October 2026, 9.00 – 10.30 European Parliament in Brussels, Spinelli building Votes Thursday 1 October 2026, 9.00 – 10.30, room SPINELLI 5G2 Election of the second Vice-Chair of the AFCO Committee. Institutional aspects of AI in the context of European integration: adoption of draft report. Rapporteur: Emmanouil Kefalogiannis (EPP, Greece). Debates Monday 28 September 2026, 15.30 – 16.30, room: SPINELLI 3G3 / jointly with the Committee on Security and Defence Institutional aspects of the Common European Defence Union. Consideration of draft report. Rapporteurs: Niclas Herbst (EPP, Germany) & Salvatore De Meo (EPP, Italy). Thursday 1 October 2026, 9.00 – 10.30, room SPINELLI 5G2 Amendments to Parliament's Rules of Procedure on proxy voting during pregnancy and immediately after childbirth. Consideration of draft report. Rapporteur: Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D, Spain). AFCO Mission report — Washington D.C. & United Nations (New York), 20–24 July 2026. Consideration of draft mission report. Further information Committee on Constitutional Affairs Full agenda and meeting documents Watch the meetings live and on demand Follow us on X Follow us on Bluesky