In times of rising authoritarianism, war, and global democratic backsliding, it may feel as though democracy is slipping from our grasp. But one truth continues to stand strong: democracy lives in cities.
The story of Leipzig in 1989 reminds us that local communities have the power to change the course of history. On 9 October of that year, over 70,000 people took to the streets in a peaceful demonstration against the oppressive regime of the German Democratic Republic. Despite the threat of armed resistance from 8,000 state forces, the people prevailed. Just a month later, the Berlin Wall fell, catalysing a peaceful revolution that reshaped Germany, Europe, and the world. Leipzig became a symbol of democracy born in the streets.
Fast forward to today, and the challenges to democracy have shifted but not faded. We face a world where the rule of law is eroding. From Russia’s war in Ukraine to China’s authoritarian assertiveness and a resurgence of isolationism in the US, democratic values are under siege. The international rules-based order is being challenged, and liberal democracies must once again prove they can rise to the moment.
While European democratic institutions are reasonably stable, threats to its democracy persist. The unlawful detention of the mayor of Istanbul last month, along with hundreds of other political representatives in Turkey, is one case that testifies to this.
“This was not only an attack on an elected representative, it was an attack on the rule of law and on democracy in Turkey,” says Burkhard Jung, President of Eurocities and Mayor of Leipzig.
Meanwhile, cities – where people feel the presence of democracy most tangibly – remain essential for its renewal. As Jung notes, “only by acting together can we strengthen democracy and have a strong impact on the EU institutions.”
This was the spirit behind the recent ‘Upgrading Local Democracy’ event in Leipzig, which gathered city leaders, democracy advocates, and youth representatives from across Europe to rethink and reinvigorate democratic practices from the ground up.
Challenges to democracy and the need for renewal
Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General of International IDEA, painted a sobering picture in his keynote address. Half the world’s population went to the polls last year, yet more countries saw democratic deterioration than improvement. Europe is in its eighth year of overall democratic decline, according to the global state of democracy report 2024. Of the 173 countries studied, nearly half have seen significant regression in at least one fundamental area of democratic functioning. Electoral credibility, public trust, and the peaceful transfer of power are faltering.
“Across the world, many citizens and political [actors are] losing faith in the ability of elections to produce legitimate results, to enable a peaceful and reliable transfer of power…This is nothing less than a crisis of confidence for democracy,” said Casas-Zamora.
Elections now face threats on multiple fronts: disinformation, cyber interference, algorithm-driven manipulation, and environmental disruptions. Casas-Zamora cited that in last year’s US elections, some electoral workers perished due to extreme heat, while wildfires and hurricanes disrupted voting logistics. These challenges reveal the increasingly volatile environment in which democratic institutions operate.
Cities as engines of democratic innovation
Despite these hurdles, cities are showing the way forward. As Dominik Hierlemann from the Bertelsmann Stiftung observed, democratic innovation is thriving at the local level. Cities have become laboratories for participatory governance, developing new forms of citizen engagement that go beyond the ballot box.
In Lodz, Mayor Hanna Zdanowska exemplifies this with participatory budgeting, climate assemblies, and digital literacy initiatives targeting marginalised communities. “Every week I spend 8-9 hours on the ground with people,” she explained, underscoring her commitment to listening and adapting.
Youth inclusion was another key focus. Iris Kimizoglu, President of the European Students’ Union, advocated for institutionalised youth engagement through councils and advisory boards that hold real influence. Her message was clear: democracy must include young people from the start, not just after decisions are made.
Education and engagement: Democracy as a daily activity
Education was recognised as a cornerstone of resilient democracy. From Oslo to Vienna, cities are embedding civic learning in school curricula, staging school elections alongside national ones, and creating pathways for children to learn democratic values from a young age. “We cannot control what’s happening outside of school, but we can control what happens inside,” said Kimizoglu, highlighting the importance of structured citizenship education.
This focus on everyday democracy was also emphasised by Michael McGrath, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, via a video intervention. “Since ancient times, with the Greek Agora until today, local councils have been a bedrock of upholding democracy,” he stated.
Cities are where democracy is felt daily – in town halls, schools, community centres, and public spaces. They are uniquely placed to bridge the gap between citizens and institutions.
Disinformation and digital resilience
The digital era brings unique threats. Disinformation, foreign interference, and the erosion of local news are destabilising civic trust. Oslo has responded to this by subsidising local media, a controversial but necessary step to combat fake news bots posing as neighbourhood sources, according to Governing Mayor Eirik Lae Solberg. “We know that the first casualty of war is truth,” he explained.
According to the German Marshall Fund’s playbook on disinformation, local governments must engage in pre-bunking, early detection, and public education to protect democratic discourse.
Giovanni Allegretti of the University of Coimbra reminded attendees that memory plays a crucial role. Without a clear understanding of past authoritarianism, people may begin to romanticise it. Cities, therefore, must tell the truth and preserve democratic narratives, particularly when national governments fail to do so.
Inclusive and participatory governance
Diversity is democracy’s strength, but only if inclusion is real. Across Europe, cities are making efforts to ensure that migrants, minorities, and marginalised voices are not only heard but empowered. Lodz, Ghent, and Helsinki are piloting inclusive governance models that could be scaled across Europe. Initiatives like climate participatory budgeting and digital inclusion for children help bring democracy closer to people’s daily lives.
As Paul Costello from the German Marshall Fund stated, cities need to focus on people – not just processes. This means making room for emotion, empathy, and community-based communication, particularly when facing complex crises like climate change or political polarisation.
The Leipzig Declaration: A commitment to Europe’s democratic future
The Eurocities Leipzig declaration on local democracy, published at the event, pledges to uphold democratic values, gender-balanced representation, citizen inclusion, and opposition to hate speech. It urges EU leaders to create a formal strategic dialogue with local governments and to ensure city voices are represented in key policy and budgetary decisions, particularly the upcoming seven-year EU budget.
The mayors affirmed their readiness to be active partners in defending democracy, particularly in times when national leadership wavers. “We are ready to work alongside EU and national leaders to uphold and promote democratic values, the rule of law, and the inclusion of citizens in all aspects of local governance,” the declaration states.
Democracy lives here
Democracy is not static. It is not guaranteed. It must be lived, nurtured, and constantly defended. And nowhere is this more possible than in our cities. The legacy of Leipzig reminds us of the power local communities hold to ignite change. Today’s threats are different, but the path forward remains the same: empower citizens, involve the youth, educate for truth, counter disinformation, and bring decision-making closer to the people.
In the words of Eirik Lae Solberg, Governing Mayor of Oslo, “if you want to protect the truth, you have to tell the truth.” And the truth is this: a more democratic Europe starts in cities.
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You can find here all the photos from the upgrading local democracy event in Leipzig on 7-8 April 2025.
Read Eurocities statement in support of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul, signed by 75 mayors.
