Conference on democracy in Europe

The Committee on the Constitution hosted a conference on the theme “Democracy in Europe”. The conference was held in the Former Second Chamber of the Riksdag on 18–19 June. Here you will find more information as well as photos and webcasts from the conference.

Date: 18–19 June
Location: The Former Second Chamber of the Riksdag, Stockholm

Focus on the rule of law

The general theme for the conference will be how the parliamentarians can contribute to safeguarding and strengthening democracy and the rule of law. 

Democratic dialogue and the significance of parliaments will be on the agenda, as well as the independence of the courts and public trust in society's institutions. 

Invited speakers and panellists include politicians, researchers in political science and representatives from the European Parliament, the European Commission, the judiciary and the Venice Commission.

The conference is part of the parliamentary dimension of Sweden’s Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers. The Chair and Deputy Chair of the Committee on the Constitution will host the conference.

Contact for the conference

Webcast 19 June: Conference on democracy in Europe

(On your mobile we recommend that you watch the video in landscape mode.)

Conference on democracy in Europe 18–19 June

Ida Karkiainen and Erik Ottoson
Photo: The Riksdag Administration

Ida Karkiainen and Erik Ottoson

Download image Ida Karkiainen and Erik Ottoson(jpeg, 1 MB)
Four people sit on a panel.
Photo: Anders Löwdin/The swedish parliament

The panel from the left: Erik Ottoson (Mod), Deputy Chair of the Committee on the Constitution and Ida Karkiainen (SocDem), Chair of the Committee on the Constitution.

Download image Four people sit on a panel.(jpeg, 690 KB)
The Speaker stands at the rostrum in the Former Second Chamber.
Photo: Anders Löwdin/The swedish parliament

The Speaker Andreas Norlén opens the conference on Democracy in Europe.

Download image The Speaker stands at the rostrum in the Former Second Chamber.(jpeg, 753 KB)
A person stands at the rostrum in the Former Second Chamber.
Photo: Anders Löwdin/The swedish parliament

Michal Šimečka, Vice-President of the European Parliament.

Download image A person stands at the rostrum in the Former Second Chamber.(jpeg, 791 KB)
Group photo of approximately 70 people on the Grand Stairway.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/The Swedish Parliament

Group photo from the conference on Democracy in Europe on 19 June 2023.

Download image Group photo of approximately 70 people on the Grand Stairway.(jpeg, 767 KB)
A man stands at the rostrum in the Former Second Chamber.
Photo: Anders Löwdin/The Swedish parliament

Johannes Lindvall, Professor in Political Science at the University of Gothenburg.

Download image A man stands at the rostrum in the Former Second Chamber.(jpeg, 1 MB)
The Former Second Chamber from the gallery.
Photo: Anders Löwdin/The Swedish parliament

Delegates in the Former Second Chamber.

Download image The Former Second Chamber from the gallery.(jpeg, 1 MB)
A person stands at the rostrum in the Former Second Chamber and points to a big screen.
Photo: Anders Löwdin/The Swedish parliament

Sara Hagemann, Professor in Political Science at the University of Copenhagen.

Download image A person stands at the rostrum in the Former Second Chamber and points to a big screen.(jpeg, 927 KB)
Six people sit on a panel across two rows in the Former Second Chamber.
Photo: Anders Löwdin/The Swedish parliament

At the front: Reinhold Lopatka, member of the National Council of Austria and Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Astrid Thors, Vice President of Liberal International and former member of the Finnish Parliament and Björn von Sydow, former Speaker and member of the Swedish Parliament.

Download image Six people sit on a panel across two rows in the Former Second Chamber.(jpeg, 769 KB)
Three people sit on a panel in the Former Second Chamber.
Photo: Anders Löwdin/The Swedish parliament

Reinhold Lopatka, member of the National Council of Austria and Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Astrid Thors, Vice President of Liberal International and former member of the Finnish Parliament and Björn von Sydow, former Speaker and member of the Swedish Parliament.

Download image Three people sit on a panel in the Former Second Chamber.(jpeg, 676 KB)
A woman on the panel speaks into the microphone.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/The Swedish parliament

Ida Karkiainen (SocDem), Chair of the Committee on the Constitution.

Download image A woman on the panel speaks into the microphone.(jpeg, 472 KB)
A man sits on his bench and speaks.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/The Swedish parliament

Domenico Matera, Italy.

Download image A man sits on his bench and speaks.(jpeg, 542 KB)
A delegate sits on her bench and speaks.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/The Swedish parliament

Constance Le Grip, France.

Download image A delegate sits on her bench and speaks.(jpeg, 556 KB)
 A man sits on his bench and speaks. He is leaning forward a little.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/The Swedish Parliament

Roberto Cataldi, Italy.

Download image A man sits on his bench and speaks. He is leaning forward a little.(jpeg, 487 KB)
A woman sits on her bench and speaks. She has a nameplate in front of her.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/The Swedish Parliament

Edite Estrela, Portugal.

Download image A woman sits on her bench and speaks. She has a nameplate in front of her.(jpeg, 392 KB)
A person sits on his bench and speaks.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/The Swedish Parliament

Talat Xhaferi, North Macedonia.

Download image A person sits on his bench and speaks.(jpeg, 614 KB)
Several delegates sit on their benches. They look happy.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/The Swedish Parliament

Demetris Demetriou and Marios Mavrides, Cyprus.

Download image Several delegates sit on their benches. They look happy.(jpeg, 543 KB)
A person sits on his bench and speaks.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/The Swedish Parliament

Ulrik Nilsson (Mod), Sweden.

Download image A person sits on his bench and speaks.(jpeg, 605 KB)
A person sits on her bench and speaks.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/The Swedish Parliament

Özlem Özen, Belgium.

Download image A person sits on her bench and speaks.(jpeg, 520 KB)
The moderator and the panel in the Former Second Chamber.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/The Swedish Parliament

Delegates in the Former Second Chamber.

Download image The moderator and the panel in the Former Second Chamber.(jpeg, 640 KB)
A delegate sits on her bench and speaks.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/The Swedish Parliament

Jelena Žarić Kovačević, Serbia.

Download image A delegate sits on her bench and speaks.(jpeg, 562 KB)
A person sits on his bench and speaks. He makes a gesture with his hand.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/The Swedish Parliament

Rachid Madrane, Belgium.

Download image A person sits on his bench and speaks. He makes a gesture with his hand.(jpeg, 780 KB)
Two people sit on their benches.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/The Swedish Parliament

Pasqualino Penza and Roberto Cataldi, Italy.

Download image Two people sit on their benches.(jpeg, 700 KB)
A person sits on his bench and speaks. He is gesticulating with his hands.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/The Swedish Parliament

Michal Šimečka, Vice-President of the European Parliament.

Download image A person sits on his bench and speaks. He is gesticulating with his hands.(jpeg, 650 KB)
 Four people stand chatting to each other in the Former Second Chamber.
Photo: Anders Löwdin/The Swedish parliament

Delegates in the Former Second Chamber.

Download image Four people stand chatting to each other in the Former Second Chamber.(jpeg, 722 KB)
A person stands at the rostrum.
Photo: Anders Löwdin/The Swedish parliament

Jessika Roswall (Mod), Minister for EU Affairs, Sweden.

Download image A person stands at the rostrum.(jpeg, 813 KB)
A person stands at the rostrum.
Photo: Anders Löwdin/The Swedish parliament

Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice, the European Commission.

Download image A person stands at the rostrum.(jpeg, 704 KB)
A person stands at the rostrum.
Photo: Anders Löwdin/The Swedish parliament

Thomas Bull, Justice of the Supreme Court of Administration in Sweden.

Download image A person stands at the rostrum.(jpeg, 637 KB)
A person stands at the rostrum.
Photo: Anders Löwdin/The Swedish parliament

Herdís Kjerulf Thorgeirsdóttir, Vice President of the Venice Commission.

Download image A person stands at the rostrum.(jpeg, 833 KB)
Several delegates sit listening on their benches in the Former Second Chamber.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/The Swedish parliament

Delegates during the conference.

Download image Several delegates sit listening on their benches in the Former Second Chamber.(jpeg, 615 KB)
A panel and delegates in the Former Second Chamber.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/The Swedish parliament

A panel and delegates during the conference.

Download image A panel and delegates in the Former Second Chamber.(jpeg, 638 KB)
A person speaks from her bench in the Former Second Chamber.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/The Swedish parliament

Sara Kelany, Italy.

Download image A person speaks from her bench in the Former Second Chamber.(jpeg, 715 KB)

Conference on democracy in Europe

On 18-19 June, the Committee on the Constitution will hold a conference on Democracy in Europe. Topics that the parliamentarians will discuss include how to contribute to safeguarding and strengthening democracy and the rule of law. Hear more from Chair of the conference Ida Karkiainen (Social Democratic Party) and Erik Ottoson (Moderate Party).