Petra Bayr Elected PACE President
Petra Bayr has been elected President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). She secured an absolute majority in the first round of voting, receiving 164 votes. Bayr will serve a one-year term, with the possibility of re-election for a second term, becoming the Assembly's 36th President.
In her inaugural address, Bayr stressed the critical need for European unity, stating:
“We are united by a vision of Europe – and a world – without war. We are united by all our achievements, our conventions, and our convictions.”
She also highlighted the gravity of the current challenges facing the continent, noting:
“This war is not just an attack on the sovereignty of a state. It is an attack on international law, on the European peace order, and on the very foundations of human rights. The rule of law – not the law of the strongest – must prevail.”
Russian Delegation Readmitted
In a separate but concurrent decision, the Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly has readmitted the Russian delegation to participate in the body's work. This move is likely to prove controversial among member states, given the ongoing geopolitical tensions. The Council of Europe, a distinct body from the EU, is the continent's leading human rights organization.
Leadership Amidst European Challenges
Bayr's election underscores the demand for decisive leadership within PACE at a time of significant strain for Europe, primarily due to the war in Ukraine and its implications for international security. Her firm stance on unity and international law, set against the backdrop of the contentious decision regarding the Russian delegation, is poised to be a defining factor in shaping the Assembly's political direction in the coming year.